Optic Disc Evaluation in Glaucoma. I. Inter- and Intraobserver Agreement of theDisc Between Ophthalmologists

Overview

Purpose:
In a longitudinal prospective study the development of the optic disc isstudied. For the evaluation of results inter- and intraobserver agreement isnecessary to know.Method: 85 colour photographs of patients, folowed for open angle glaucoma orocular hypertension were evaluated by four ophthalmologists with differentexperience in glaucoma. Inter- and intraobserver agreement was evaluated inhorizontal and vetical C/D ratio, neuroretinal rim, circumpapilar alterations andoverall impression: glaucoma yes/ suspect/no.Results: Interobserver agreement was best in the observer, working in the glau-coma outpatient department and another observer, who described only 51 discs,which seemed clear to him. In the others the results were less reliable withdifferences of 0,2 DD up to 4.3%. As glaucomatous the discs were evaluated by allfour observers only i 30.3%.Conclusions: Interobserver agreement was high in an ophthalmologist, workingin a glaucoma department, in others only in selected discs. Evaluation of a disc asglaucomatous from C/D ratio is less reliable.

Key words:
glaucoma, optic disc, C/D ratio