Investigation of a real-time location system of corneal astigmatic axis.

BACKGROUND: To construct a real-time computerized location system (RCLS) to analyze and display the axis of corneal astigmatism and to compare its accuracy with the Scheimpflug method.

METHODS: Fifty-seven eyes of 39 volunteers with corneal astigmatism more than 1.00 diopter (D) were recruited. The RCLS was composed of a circular light-emitting diode (LED) light source, surgical microscope, surgical video system, computer and self-programming image analysis software. Scheimpflug imaging measurements (Pentacam HR, Oculus, Wetzlar, Germany) were performed on all subjects to determine the axis and power of corneal astigmatism. Thereafter, the axis of corneal astigmatism was analyzed in real-time and displayed by the RCLS on supine position, and videos were recorded. The MB-Ruler 4.0 software was used to measure the astigmatic axis. The accuracy of the RCLS was compared with the Scheimpflug method.

RESULTS: The RCLS was able to display the axis of corneal astigmatism in real-time. The axial deviation of corneal astigmatism between the two methods was 0.63 ± 3.78° when astigmatism was 1.00 to 2.00 D and decreased to 0.06 ± 1.38° when astigmatism was greater than 2.00 D. A linear correlation of astigmatic axis was noted between the two methods: AxisRCLS = 1.01 × AxisScheimpflug - 1.02 (R(2) = 0.998, P < 0.001). The Bland-Altman analysis revealed that the RCLS agreed sufficiently well with the Scheimpflug method.

CONCLUSIONS: The RCLS can accurately analyze and display the axis for corneal astigmatism greater than 1.00 D in real-time. The RCLS simplifies marking procedures and may have potential clinical application to improve the postoperative visual outcomes in surgical correction of corneal astigmatism.