Utilisation of poor-quality optical coherence tomography scans: adjustment algorithm from the Singapore Epidemiology of Eye Diseases (SEED) study.

To evaluate the effect of signal strength (SS) on optical coherence tomography (OCT) parameters, and devise an algorithm to adjust the effect, when acceptable SS cannot be obtained. 5085 individuals (9582 eyes), aged ≥40 years from the Singapore Epidemiology of Eye Diseases population-based study were included. Everyone underwent a standardised ocular examination and imaging with Cirrus HD-OCT. Effect of SS was evaluated using multiple structural breaks linear mixed-effect models. Expected change for increment in SS between 4 and 10 for individual parameter was calculated. Subsequently we devised and evaluated an algorithm to adjust OCT parameters to higher SS. Average retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness showed shift of 4.11 µm from SS of 5 to 6. Above 6, it increased by 1.72 and 3.35 µm to 7 and 8; and by 1.09 µm (per unit increase) above 8 SS. Average ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness shifted 5.15 µm from SS of 5 to 6. Above 6, increased by 0.94 µm from 7 to 8; and by 0.16 µm (per unit increase) above 8 SS. When compared with reference in an independent test set, the algorithm produced less systemic bias. Algorithm-adjusted average RNFL was 0.549 µm thinner than the reference, while the unadjusted one was 2.841 µm thinner (p<0.001). Algorithm-adjusted and unadjusted average GCIPL was 1.102 µm and 2.228 µm thinner (p<0.001). OCT parameters can be adjusted for poor SS using an algorithm. This can potentially assist in diagnosis and monitoring of glaucoma when scans with acceptable SS cannot be acquired from patients in clinics.

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Competing interests: None declared.