The repeatability of tear mucus ferning grading.

摘要: Purpose Rolando's classification system for tear mucus ferning patterns subjectively assigns grades based on the size and spacing between ferns. Grade 1 2 are considered "normal," whereas grade 3 4 often associated with keratoconjunctivitis sicca. This study was designed to examine intraobserver interobserver repeatability of system. Methods Photographic slides (N = 418) portions were randomly assembled, numbered, graded by two investigators (I1 I2). I1 twice; remixed under masked conditions first second runs. I2 once, independent I1. Results For four-grade system, agreement 85.41% (simple kappa 0.75; 95% confidence interval ]CI] 0.69-0.82). Interobserver 80.62% (kappa 0.67; CI 0.60-0.74) 86.12% 0.68-0.83) runs I1, respectively. Analysis ability simply classify normal (grade 2) from abnormal 4) revealed 94.50% 0.76; 0.67-0.86). 92.10% 0.65; 0.56-0.75) 94.26% 0.71; 0.62-0.81) runs, Conclusion Based high rate trials, grading appears be an easy consistent method patterns.