Relationship between age and peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer thickness: an optical coherence tomography study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the relationship between age and peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer thickness in healthy Chinese subjects.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Regional hospital, Hong Kong.


METHODS
Healthy volunteers (n=218) of Chinese ethnicity with spherical equivalent of -6 to +4 dioptres were recruited for study from October 2001 to March 2003. Ocular examination was carried out and measurements of peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer thickness were performed using optical coherence tomography (Carl Zeiss Humphrey OCT 2 machine), in a circular pattern of 3.4 mm diameter, centred on the optic disc.


METHODS
Mean retinal nerve fibre layer thickness and age.


RESULTS
The mean age was 40 (standard deviation, 17; range, 11-69) years. The mean peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer thickness was 111.6 (standard deviation, 18.5; range, 52.0-155.0) micrometres. Age correlated significantly with peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer thickness (r= -0.28, P<0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Mean peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer thickness (based on optical coherence tomography) correlates negatively with age, which can interfere with the assessment and monitoring of glaucoma patients. An age-adjusted normogram may be necessary to interpret results.
Wong
I Y H
IY
Department of Ophthalmology, Tung Wah Eastern Hospital, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong.
Wong
A C M
AC
Chan
C W N
CW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000502:physiology*; D055351:Retinal Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult