title: Morphological characteristics of the optic nerve evaluated by confocal laser tomography (HRT3) and laser polarimetry (GDx-VCC) in a normal population from the city of Barcelona.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate morphological parameters of optic disc and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) examined with confocal laser tomography (HRT3) and laser polarimetry (GDx-VCC) in a normal population, and analyze correlations of these parameters with demographic variables.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study in the context of a glaucoma screening campaign in the primary care center of Barcelona. The individuals selected were non-hypertensive Mediterranean Caucasians with risk for glaucoma development (individuals≥60 years old or≥40 years old with family history of glaucoma or intraocular pressure or myopia>3diopter). All subjects underwent a complete ophthalmic examination, confocal laser tomography (HRT3) and scanning laser polarimetry (GDX-VCC), subjects with results within normal limits only being included. Structural parameters were analyzed along with age, refraction, and pachymetry based on the Spearman rank correlation test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 224 subjects included, with a mean age of 63.4±11.1 years. Disc areas, excavation and ring area were 2.14±0.52mm(2), 0.44±0.34mm (2) and 1.69±0.38mm(2), respectively. The mean RNFL (GDX) was 55.9±6.9μm. Age was correlated with lower ring volume, highest rate of cup shape measure, largest mean and maximum cup depth, lower nerve fiber index (NFI) and RNFL (all p-values below .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The mean values and distribution of several parameters of the papilla and the RNFL in normal Mediterranean Caucasians population are presented. A loss of thickness of the RNFL, ring thinning, and enlarged cup was observed with increased age.
authors.affiliation: Departament d'Oftalmologia, Hospital de l'Esperança-Parc de Salut Mar, Institut Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques , Barcelona, España; Universtitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, España. Electronic address: mail@monicafallon.com.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fallon
authors.affiliation: Departament d'Oftalmologia, Hospital de l'Esperança-Parc de Salut Mar, Institut Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques , Barcelona, España; Universtitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, España.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pazos
authors.affiliation: Departament d'Investigació, Institut Català de Retina (ICR), Barcelona, España.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Morilla
authors.affiliation: Unitat d'Infermeria, Centre d'Assistència Primària (CAP) Larrard, Barcelona, España.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Sebastián
authors.affiliation: Departament d'Oftalmologia, Hospital de l'Esperança-Parc de Salut Mar, Institut Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques , Barcelona, España; Universtitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, España.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Xancó
authors.affiliation: Departament d'Oftalmologia, Hospital de l'Esperança-Parc de Salut Mar, Institut Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques , Barcelona, España; Universtitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, España.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mora
authors.affiliation: Unitat d'Infermeria, Centre d'Assistència Primària (CAP) Larrard, Barcelona, España.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Calderón
authors.affiliation: Unitat d'Infermeria, Centre d'Assistència Primària (CAP) Larrard, Barcelona, España.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Vega
authors.affiliation: Departament d'Oftalmologia, Hospital de l'Esperança-Parc de Salut Mar, Institut Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques , Barcelona, España; Universtitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, España; Departament d'Investigació, Institut Català de Retina (ICR), Barcelona, España; Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, España.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Antón
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003941:Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D012016:Reference Values; D057109:Scanning Laser Polarimetry; D013030:Spain; D017216:Telemedicine; D014054:Tomography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Capa de fibras nerviosas de la retina; Glaucoma; Nervio óptico; Optic nerve head; Polarimetría láser de barrido; Retinal nerve fiber layer; Scanning laser ophthalmoscopy; Scanning laser polarimetry; Tomografía láser confocal