Measurement Comparison of Anterior Segment Parameters between AL-Scan(R) and Pentacam(R)

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical availability of AL-Scan(R) (Nidek, GAMAGORI, Japan) by comparing anterior segment parameters measured with AL-Scan(R) and Pentacam(R) (Oculus, Wetzlar, Germany). METHODS: Seventy-three patients (117 eyes) who received refractive surgery at our hospital were tested with AL-Scan(R) and Pentacam(R). We compared measurements including anterior chamber depth, central corneal thickness, white-to-white, and corneal curvature. RESULTS: When comparing measurements obtained with AL-Scan(R) and Pentacam(R), the anterior chamber depth (p < 0.001), central corneal thickness (p < 0.001) and 2.4 mm zone K value (p = 0.038) showed significant differences; the white-to-white (p = 0.348) and 3.3 mm zone K value (p = 0.429) showed no significant differences. All AL-Scan(R) and Pentacam(R) parameters had a strong positive linear correlation (p < 0.001). The Bland-Altman plots showed a high degree of agreement between AL-Scan(R) and Pentacam(R) in all parameters except for anterior chamber depth. CONCLUSIONS: AL-Scan(R) is convenient to use clinically because simultaneous measurements of ocular biometry including axial length, intraocular lens power, and topography are possible. However, because differences in some anterior segment parameters exist when compared with Pentacam(R), measurements with AL-Scan(R) may require comparisons with other instruments.