Relationship Between Central Corneal Thickness and Ganglionic-Inner Plexiform Cell Layer and Retinal Nerve Fibre Layer Thickness in Normal Subjects

Abstract

Purpose

To determine the relationship between central corneal thickness (CCT), ganglionic cell-inner plexiform layer thickness and macular nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness as measured by optical coherence tomography in a cohort of healthy subjects.

Methods

Sixty healthy eyes from 60 subjects were included in this study. All subjects had a standard slit-lamp examination and optical coherence tomography. Central corneal thickness was measured using the Optopol spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD OCT) machine (version 7.2.0). A linear mixed effects model was used to assess the relationship between central corneal thickness (CCT) and ganglionic cell-inner plexiform layer thickness and macular retinal nerve fibre layer thickness (RNFL).

Results

Sixty healthy eyes from 60 subjects were included in this study. The average age was 41.8 years (±20.6 years). There were 22 males (37%) and 38 females (63%). The average central corneal thickness was 525.2 ± 35.1 µm (451–601) µm. The average macular retinal nerve fiber layer thickness was 28.9 ± 2.5 µm (23–38µm), and the average ganglionic cell-inner plexiform layer thickness was 88.6 ± 6.3 µm (75–110 µm). We found no statistically significant relationship between central corneal thickness and ganglionic cell-inner plexiform layer thickness (p=0.983) nor with macular RNFL (p =0.285).

Conclusion

In this cohort of healthy subjects, there was no statistically significant relationship between central corneal thickness and ganglionic cell-inner plexiform layer thickness or with macular retinal nerve fibre layer thickness.

Keywords:

• central corneal thickness
• ganglion cell layer
• inner plexiform layer
• optical coherence tomography

Data Sharing Statement

The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Ethical Approval

Institutional ethical approval was obtained from the IRB committee at Jordan University Hospital. This research complies with the tenants of the Declaration of Helsinki. All enrolled participants provided written informed consent.

Author Contributions

All authors made substantial contributions to conception and design, acquisition of data, or analysis and interpretation of data; took part in drafting the article or revising it critically for important intellectual content; agreed to submit to the current journal; gave final approval of the version to be published; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors reported no conflicts of interest for this work.