Cornea Thermography: Optimal Evaluation of the Outcome and the Resulting Reproducibility

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to establish a standardized quantitative evaluation of corneal temperature (CT) that includes anchoring reference points in the topography and minimization of artifacts. We further investigated the distribution and the short- and long-term reproducibility of the CT values, as well as the influence of the core temperatures. METHODS: The CT values in both eyes of 40 healthy subjects were measured through thermography. These examinations took place over the course of four visits within 2 consecutive weeks. At each visit, the CTs were measured twice in both eyes with intervals of 15 minutes between measurements. RESULTS: CT values were not significantly different between the right and left eyes and their distribution was nearly normal. The CTs increased slightly when measured twice over the 15-minute intervals (short-term reproducibility) but remained stable over a period of 2 weeks (long-term reproducibility). In addition, the CT values depended on the core temperatures. CONCLUSIONS: Ocular surface thermography is a fast and noninvasive examination. The methods of optimized and standardized evaluation of the CT values facilitate comparisons and follow-ups. TRANSLATIONAL RELEVANCE: Thermography can be used clinically and scientifically only if both the measurement and its evaluation are efficient and standardized and if the outcomes are highly reproducible.