Accuracy of topographic measurements in a model eye with the laser tomographic scanner.

The authors evaluated the accuracy of topographic measurements with the laser tomographic scanner using a model eye. Diameter, depth, and shape at different axial lengths of four sample holes that simulated optic nerve heads in phakic and aphakic conditions were determined by confocal imaging. The computer-generated cross-section profiles of the simulated optic nerve heads corresponded well with the actual contours as photographed by scanning electron microscopy. The average relative error in diameter was 2.0% (range: 0.3-2.9%) for the phakic model eye and 3.6% (range: 0.6-8.2%) for the aphakic model eye. The average relative error in depth was 11.7% (range: 1.2-20.1%) for the phakic model eye and 10.1% (range: 1.7-22.6%) for the aphakic model.