Abstract
We read with interest the recently published article by Reibaldi and associates, “Enhanced Depth Imaging Optical Coherence Tomography of the Choroid in Idiopathic Macular Hole: A Cross-sectional Prospective Study.” 1 Reibaldi M. Boscia F. Avitabile T. et al. Enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography of the choroid in idiopathic macular hole: a cross-sectional prospective study. Am J Ophthalmol. 2011; 151: 112-117 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (72) Google Scholar The authors state that the study followed a cross-sectional, prospective design. Cross-sectional studies involve sampling from a reference population at a single point in time, evaluating the exposure and the disease simultaneously. As described, the authors did not, in fact, conduct a cross-sectional study; rather, it was a matched case-control study. Patients were selected if they had a full-thickness idiopathic macular hole in a single eye (ie, cases) at presentation and an unaffected eye, which was used as a control. Additionally, a second group of controls were selected from the general outpatient population without macular hole and were matched to cases based on age and sex. Unfortunately, this is more than a semantic issue because, as a result of failing to appreciate their actual study design, the analysis of the study data was inappropriate. Enhanced Depth Imaging Optical Coherence Tomography of the Choroid in Idiopathic Macular Hole: A Cross-sectional Prospective StudyAmerican Journal of OphthalmologyVol. 151Issue 1PreviewTo determine the choroidal thickness in the macular area in patients with idiopathic macular hole in one eye and an unaffected fellow eye and in healthy controls. Full-Text PDF ReplyAmerican Journal of OphthalmologyVol. 151Issue 3PreviewWe read with interest the comments of Drs McGwin and Blackburn. Concerning the question about cross-sectional or matched case-control study, we agree that a matched case-control study better describes the design of our study.1 Full-Text PDF
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
