Optical Coherence Tomography Measurement of Retinal Nerve Fibre Layer, Optic Nerve Head and Macula in Normal Subjects

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the variation in retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL), optic nerve head (ONH) and macular measurements in healthy Turkish subjects using Stratus optical coherence tomography (OCT). The design is a cross-sectional study of 398 eyes in 199 normal subjects aged between 5 and 70 years. The participants underwent a detailed ophthalmologic examination including imaging with Stratus OCT. RNFL, optic disc and macula fast scan methods were used to obtain the peripapillary RNFL thickness, ONH and macular parameters. The effects on the findings of age, gender and laterality of the eye tested were assessed. The average RNFL thickness and the thickness measured in the superior and temporal quadrants were statistically significantly negatively correlated with age. Similar results were found for mean macular thickness, macular RNFL thickness and for total macular volume. There was no effect of age on ONH measurements. The RNFL thickness in the temporal quadrant was significantly greater in females than in males (p<0.05). The mean macular thickness in 1–3 mm was greater in males than in females (p<0.05). The nasal RNFL thickness was significantly thicker in the right eyes than in the left eyes (p<0.05). We conclude that, in healthy subjects, as age increases there is a significant reduction in peripapillary and macular RNFL thickness and in macular thickness and volume. The hypothesis that RNFL and macular measurements are not symmetrical between the two eyes merits further study.

KEYWORDS::

• retinal nerve fibre layer
• macula
• optic nerve head

Declaration of Interest: None of the authors have any financial or proprietary interest in this study.