Background This study aimed to characterise imaging artefacts in the lacrimal gland using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) in patients with dry eye disease (DED) and healthy participants and identify risk factors for these artefacts. Methods In total, 151 eyes, including 104 from patients with DED and 47 from non-DED participants, were analysed. Demographic data collection, comprehensive ocular examinations and SS-OCT imaging of the palpebral lobe of the lacrimal gland were performed. Artefacts were classified into distinct categories with different severities. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the association of age, gender, best-corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP) and the presence of DED with the presence of artefacts. Results Eight artefact types and severity grading were defined by analysing 1208 lacrimal SS-OCT images. The three most prevalent artefacts were defocus (75.83%), cliff (67.47%) and Z-off (58.44%). The presence of artefacts was significantly associated with the presence of DED (OR=9.13; 95% CI, 2.39 to 34.88; p=0.001) and higher IOP (OR=1.34; 95% CI, 1.14 to 1.58; p<0.001). Furthermore, multivariate logistic analyses showed that lower tear film breakup time (OR=0.71; 95% CI, 0.55 to 0.92; p=0.009) and higher meibum quality score (OR=2.86; 95% CI, 1.49 to 5.48; p=0.002) were significantly associated with higher odds for the presence of artefacts. Conclusions DED eyes had more SS-OCT image artefacts than normal eyes. Stringent standardised image quality control should be implemented before further image analysis when using SS-OCT to assess lacrimal gland image. Data are available upon reasonable request.

中文翻译：

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基于扫描源光学相干断层扫描的干眼病体内泪腺成像伪影评估


背景 本研究旨在使用扫描源光学相干断层扫描 （SS-OCT） 对干眼症 （DED） 患者和健康参与者的泪腺成像伪影进行表征，并确定这些伪影的危险因素。方法 共分析了 151 只眼睛，其中 104 只来自 DED 患者，47 只来自非 DED 参与者。进行人口学数据收集、综合眼部检查和泪腺睑叶的 SS-OCT 成像。文物被分为不同严重程度的不同类别。进行单因素和多因素 logistic 回归分析，以评估年龄、性别、最佳矫正视力、眼压 （IOP） 和 DED 的存在与伪影存在的相关性。结果 通过分析 1208 张泪液 SS-OCT 图像，定义了 8 种伪影类型和严重程度分级。三种最普遍的伪影是散焦 （75.83%）、悬崖 （67.47%） 和 Z 轴关闭 （58.44%）。伪影的存在与 DED 的存在 （OR=9.13;95% CI，2.39 至 34.88;p=0.001） 和较高的 IOP （OR=1.34;95% CI，1.14 至 1.58;p<0.001 的存在显著相关）。此外，多变量 logistic 分析显示，较低的泪膜破裂时间 （OR=0.71;95% CI，0.55 至 0.92;p = 0.009） 和较高的睑脂质量评分 （OR=2.86;95% CI，1.49 至 5.48;p = 0.002） 与存在伪影的较高几率显著相关。结论 DED 眼比正常眼有更多的 SS-OCT 图像伪影。使用 SS-OCT 评估泪腺图像时，在进一步图像分析之前，应实施严格的标准化图像质量控制。数据可根据合理要求提供。