Comparison of Fourier-Domain and Time-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography in the Measurement of Thinnest Corneal Thickness in Keratoconus

Objective. To compare fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT) and time-domain OCT (TD-OCT) in the determination of thinnest corneal thickness (TCT). Methods. This study included 55 keratoconus patients and 50 healthy volunteers. The RTVue-OCT (FD-OCT) and Visante-OCT (TD-OCT) were used for the measurement of the TCT. Three consecutive scans were performed. The comparison and agreement between the two modalities were analyzed by paired t-test, the Pearson correlation, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and Bland-Altman plots. intraobserver repeatability was analyzed by the intraobserver within-subject standard deviation (S-(w)), coefficient of variation (CV(w)), and ICC. Results. The TCT value of normal corneas was higher by RTVue-OCT (530.4 +/- 19.7 mu m) than Visante-OCT (521.5 +/- 18.3 mu m) (p < 0.001). For keratoconus eyes, the TCT was 425.0 +/- 58.2 mu m and 424.4 +/- 55.7 mu m(difference being 0.6 +/- 10.2 mu m, p = 0.604). Strong correlation (r = 0.938 +/- 0.985) (ICC = 0.915-0.984) was observed between the two OCTs, and each OCT exhibited excellent repeatability in determining the TCT in all subjects (ICC = 0.984-0.994). Conclusions. The values of TCT obtained from RTVue-OCT and Visante-OCT were highly correlated; however, the two values were different. Both OCT instruments exhibited good intraobserver reliability. The existence of systematic differences suggested that the two instruments cannot be used interchangeably.