Repeatability and reproducibility of automatic segmentation of retinal layers in healthy subjects using Spectralis optical coherence tomography

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the repeatability and reproducibility of automatic segmentation in healthy subjects using a Spectralis optical coherence tomography (OCT) system. Methods: A total of 60 eyes from 60 patients were included in this prospective study. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography images were generated using the Spectralis OCT system. An automated algorithm was used to segment the macular retina into nine layers and evaluate the thickness of each layer in the foveal, inner, and outer Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) subfield rings. The eyes were imaged three times by an examiner to assess intraobserver repeatability and imaged once by a second examiner to assess interobserver reproducibility. The first scan was used for reference, whereas the second and third scans were collected using the device's follow-up mode. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) of repeatability and reproducibility were analyzed. Results: The examiners achieved high repeatability and reproducibility for all parameters. Good agreement was found for all parameters in all ETDRS subdivisions with an ICC of > 0.96 for all measurements. Conclusion: It is possible to obtain cross-sections from the same location using the device's follow-up mode, making it virtually impossible to distinguish between repeated measurements taken with the device by different examiners.