Effect of image quality on tissue thickness measurements obtained with spectral domain-optical coherence tomography

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of image quality on retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and retinal thickness measurements obtained using three commercially available spectral domain-optical coherence tomographers (SD-OCT). Subjectively determined good, medium and poor quality images were obtained from four healthy and one glaucoma suspect eyes. RNFL and retinal thickness measurements were compared as a function of image quality. Results indicate that when image quality is within the range specified as acceptable by SD-OCT manufacturers, RNFL and retinal thickness measurements are comparable. © 2009 Optical Society of America