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Comparison of meibomian gland loss area measurements between two computer programs and intra–inter-observer agreement

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Abstract

Background

Meibography is a diagnostic test that allows in vivo evaluation of meibomian gland (MG). Nowadays, it is unknown whether the two available computer programs are equivalent to evaluate the glandular loss area.

Methods

This is a prospective, longitudinal, and observational study. A random selection of meibography photographs from healthy patients from the ocular surface clinic at Destellos de Luz foundation is made. The upper eyelid images were taken with the Antares® meibography (CSO, Florence, Italy); they were classified in five sessions with a week of separation between each measurement by an expert observer for each program, Phoenix (MAGL) and ImageJ (LAGB). An analysis of the meibomian gland loss area was performed, calculating it semiautomatically with Phoenix and manually with ImageJ. Intra-observer agreement was assessed through an intra-class correlation coefficient and the mean of standard deviations within subjects. Comparison between the two computational programs MG loss was made trough a nonparametric test.

Results

Fifty-four images from x patients (n, 67.3% female) were analyzed. The limits of concordance analysis between the two programs showed a range between − 18.55 and 9.14%. The mean MG loss area through ImageJ by observer 1 was 27.91 ± 14.82% (IC 95% 23.87 to 31.96), and that by observer 2 was 29.05 ± 15.17% (95% CI 24.91 to 33.19). The mean MG loss area through Phoenix by observer 1 was 24.48 ± 13.97% (IC 95% 20.67 to 28.29), and that by observer 2 was 24.93 ± 12.70% (95% CI 21.46, 28.40)

Conclusions

The comparison of the measurement of meibomian gland loss with both programs showed a statistically significant difference. Intra-observer repeatability and inter-observer repeatability were good, with no clinical or statistical difference.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinical Science Department, Science of Health Division, University of Monterrey, Ave Hidalgo # 2425 Poniente, Colonia Centro, C.P 64700, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico

    Manuel Garza-Leon

  2. Cornea and Refractive Surgery Services, Hospital “Dr. Luis Sanchez Bulnes”, Asociacion Para Evitar La Ceguera en Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico

    Manuel Garza-Leon, Alejandra Gonzalez-Dibildox, Nallely Ramos-Betancourt & Everardo Hernandez-Quintela

Authors
  1. Manuel Garza-Leon
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  2. Alejandra Gonzalez-Dibildox
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  3. Nallely Ramos-Betancourt
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  4. Everardo Hernandez-Quintela
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Correspondence to Manuel Garza-Leon.

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The study was conducted under the approval of the authorities and the Ethics Committee of the Universidad de Monterrey (UDEM) and adhered to the principles of the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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After explaining the study, informed consent was obtained from all participants.

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Garza-Leon, M., Gonzalez-Dibildox, A., Ramos-Betancourt, N. et al. Comparison of meibomian gland loss area measurements between two computer programs and intra–inter-observer agreement. Int Ophthalmol 40, 1261–1267 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-020-01292-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-020-01292-w

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