Comparison of Anterior Corneal Aberrometry, Keratometry and Pupil Size with Scheimpflug Tomography and Ray Tracing Aberrometer

This study aimed to assess the anterior corneal wavefront aberrations, keratometry, astigmatism vectors and pupil size between Pentacam HR(®) (Oculus Optikgeraete GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany) and iTrace(®) (Tracey Technologies Corp., Houston, TX, USA). In this observational study, 100 eyes (50 healthy volunteers) were scanned in mesopic light condition with a Pentacam HR(®) and iTrace(®). Anterior corneal aberrations (spherical aberration (Z40), vertical coma (Z3 − 1), horizontal coma (Z3 + 1)), keratometry in the flattest (K1) and steepest meridian (K2), mean astigmatism, astigmatic vectors (J0 and J45), and pupil size were measured. We found a significant difference in Z40 (Pentacam(®): +0.30 ± 0.11 µm and iTrace(®): −0.03 µm ± 0.05 µm; p < 0.01) with no correlation between the devices (r = −0.12, p = 0.22). The devices were in complete agreement for Z3 − 1 (p = 0.78) and Z3 + 1 (p = 0.39), with significant correlation between the machines (r = −0.38, p < 0.01 and r = −0.6, p < 0.01). There was no difference in K1, K2 and mean astigmatism. J0 was negative with both devices (against-the-rule astigmatism), but there was no correlation. J45 was negative with the Pentacam HR(®) (more myopic oblique astigmatism) but significantly correlated between the devices. Pupil size was smaller with Pentacam HR(®) (p < 0.01). In summary, these devices cannot be used interchangeably. Corneal Z40 was significantly different with more negative Z40 with iTrace(®) compared to Pentacam HR(®). iTrace(®) operates with lower illumination, giving larger pupil size than Pentacam HR(®), which uses intense blue light during measurement. No correlation was found for J0. Pentacam HR(®) had a trend to record more negative J45 (myopic oblique astigmatism).