African Descent and Glaucoma Evaluation Study (ADAGES): II. Ancestry differences in optic disc, retinal nerve fiber layer, and macular structure in healthy subjects.
OBJECTIVE
To define differences in optic disc, retinal nerve fiber layer, and macular structure between healthy participants of African (AD) and European descent (ED) using quantitative imaging techniques in the African Descent and Glaucoma Evaluation Study (ADAGES).


METHODS
Reliable images were obtained using stereoscopic photography, confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (Heidelberg retina tomography [HRT]), and optical coherence tomography (OCT) for 648 healthy subjects in ADAGES. Findings were compared and adjusted for age, optic disc area, and reference plane height where appropriate.


RESULTS
The AD participants had significantly greater optic disc area on HRT (2.06 mm(2); P < .001) and OCT (2.47 mm(2); P < .001) and a deeper HRT cup depth than the ED group (P < .001). Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness was greater in the AD group except within the temporal region, where it was significantly thinner. Central macular thickness and volume were less in the AD group.


CONCLUSIONS
Most of the variations in optic nerve morphologic characteristics between the AD and ED groups are due to differences in disc area. However, differences remain in HRT cup depth, OCT macular thickness and volume, and OCT retinal nerve fiber layer thickness independent of these variables. These differences should be considered in the determination of disease status.
Girkin
Christopher A
CA
Callahan Eye Foundation Hospital, University of Alabama at Birmingham Glaucoma Service, 700 S 18th St, Fourth Floor, Ste 406, Birmingham, AL, USA. cgirkin@uab.edu
Sample
Pamela A
PA
Liebmann
Jeffrey M
JM
Jain
Sonia
S
Bowd
Christopher
C
Becerra
Lida M
LM
Medeiros
Felipe A
FA
Racette
Lyne
L
Dirkes
Keri A
KA
Weinreb
Robert N
RN
Zangwill
Linda M
LM
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000473:pathology*; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009887:Ophthalmoscopy; D009898:Optic Disk / Q000473:pathology*; D009901:Optic Nerve Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D058609:Visual Field Tests; D044465:White People
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