Blood Vessel Contributions to Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness Profiles Measured With Optical Coherence Tomography

Abstract

Purpose-To understand better the influence of retinal blood vessels (BVs) on the interindividual variation in the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measured with optical coherence tomography (OCT).Subjects and Methods-RNFL thickness profiles were measured by OCT in 16 control individuals and 16 patients. The patients had advanced glaucoma defined by abnormal disc appearance, abnormal visual fields, and a mean visual field deviation worse than − 10 dB.Results-In general, the OCT RNFL thickness profiles showed 4 local maxima, with the peak amplitudes in the superior and inferior regions occurring in the temporal (peripapillary) disc region. There was considerable variability among individuals in the location of these maxima. However, the 4 maxima typically fell on, or near, a major BV with the temporal and inferior peaks nearly always associated with the main temporal branches of the superior and inferior veins and arteries. In the patients' hemifields with severe loss (mean visual field deviation worse than − 20 dB), the signals associated with the major BVs were in the order of 100 to 150 µm.Conclusions-The variation in the local peaks of the RNFL profiles of controls correlates well with the location of the main temporal branches of the superior and inferior veins and arteries. This correspondence is, in part, due to a direct BV contribution to the shape of the OCT RNFL and, in part, due to the fact that BVs develop along the densest regions of axons. Although the overall BV contribution was estimated to be relatively modest, roughly 13% of the total peripapillary RNFL thickness in controls, their contribution represents a substantial portion locally and increases in importance with disease progression.

Association between retinal neuronal degeneration and visual function impairment in type 2 diabetic patients without diabetic retinopathy

“…This discrepancy between studies may be due to the difference in patient populations, devices for RNFL measurements, or study designs. It has been suggested that the peripapillary RNFL thickness profiles measured with OCT vary among individuals, and this variation was large relative to other factors, such as measurement error [25,26], optic disc size [27], or the retinal arterioles and venules extending from the optic disc [28].…”

Detection of progressive macular thickness loss using optical coherence tomography in glaucoma suspect and glaucomatous eyes

“…It should be noted that the rate of optic disc, RNFL, and visual field decline is characterized by considerable variability both within and between individuals. 26,[28][29][30][31][32][33] To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate progressive macular thickness atrophy in eyes with SAP progression. Our results differ from those published by Medeiros et al, 23 in which no detectable macular thickness loss over time was detected among 31 of 253 (13%) eyes that demonstrated progressive changes by stereophotographs and/or SAP.…”

Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in prematurity is correlated with stage of retinopathy of prematurity

“…It has been reported that children with low birth weight have narrower arterioles, 19 and arteriolar caliber is positively correlated with RNFL thickness and macular thickness. [20][21][22] Therefore, narrower vessels in preterm children compared with normal full-term controls could induce artifactually thinned RNFL measured by OCT. 23 Further histologic studies could help to clarify this idea.…”