FP1248 : Inter observer variability in the measurement of corneal ulcers

Dr.LAKSHEY DUDEJA

Purpose: To study inter-observer variability in the measurement of corneal ulcers. Methods: A prospective, observational, blinded study including 50 patients with corneal ulcer, in which patients were examined by 4 graders (1 cornea consultant, 2 cornea fellows and 1 senior mid-level ophthalmic personnel). Epithelial defect (ED), stromal infiltrate (SI), depth of ulcer, hypopyon size and location of ulcer were noted and analysed. Results: Inter-class correlation (ICC) for ED height was 0.958 (95% CI=0.935-0.974), for ED width was 0.927 (95% CI=0.887-0.956), for SI height was 0.962 (95% CI=0.941-0.977), for SI width was 0.940 (95%CI=0.901-0.964) and for hypopyon was 0.988 (95%CI=0.982-0.993). ED size was significantly different from 0.5 mm for 2 out of 12 grader pairs (Width: Grader 2 vs 3, Grader 2 vs 4) and SI was significantly different from 0.5 mm for 2 out of 12 grader pairs (Width: Grader 1 vs 3, Grader 2 vs 3). Conclusion: There was good reliability between the four graders.