Measurement Reliability of Axial Length of the Human Eye by using Partial Coherence Interferometry

To investigate the minimum near-infrared ray intensity required (quantifiable threshold value) for consistent measurements of axial length (AL) using partial coherence interferometry (PO), we attached two polarizing lenses (PL) to two types of PCI (IOLmaster, ALscan). The near-infrared ray intensity of PCI was modified by rotating the axis of one PL at intervals of 5 degrees. The right eye of each volunteer was measured three times and the AL and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) was recorded five times for each measurement. Reduction of light intensity was theoretically estimated using Malus' Law. AL was measured consistently with both IOLmaster and ALscan until they reached 55 degrees (1.33 % of intensity) and 60 degrees (0.77%), respectively (P = 0.343, Log-rank test). In contrast, SNR decreased as light intensity decreased. In addition, to analyze media opacities that precluded measurement of AL, we retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients unmeasurable by PCI (ALscan) from May to November 2013. Thirty-eight of 473 eyes (8.0%) could not be measured using ALscan due to media opacities, such as severe posterior subcapsular cataract (PSC, 11 eyes), hypermature cataract (9 eyes), and vitreous hemorrhage (18 eyes). The mean grades of vitreous haze and PSC were 7.72 +/- 0.96 and 4.45 +/- 1.04, respectively. In conclusion, up to 0.77-1.33% of near-infrared rays decreased, and AL could be measured consistently.