Relation between retinal vessel diameter and posterior segment optical coherence tomography variables in middle-aged Caucasians: the Northern Finland Birth Cohort Eye Study

Abstract

AimsStudying the relationship between retinal vessel diameter (RVD) with (1) macular thickness and volume, (2) retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL), (3) ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GC-IPL) and (4) optic nerve head (ONH) in a population cohort of middle-aged Caucasians.MethodsWe collected data from 3070 individuals. We used a semiautomated computer-assisted programme to measure central retinal arteriolar equivalent and central retinal venular equivalent. Macular and ONH parameters were assessed by optical coherence tomography.ResultsData from 2155 persons were analysed. A larger RVD was associated with a thicker macula and increased macular volume; each SD increase in average macular thickness and volume was associated with a 3.28 µm and a 3.19 µm increase in arteriolar diameter and a 5.10 µm and a 5.08 µm increase in venular diameter, respectively (p<0.001 for all). A larger rim area, greater GC-IPL and RNFL thicknesses were associated with larger RVD; each SD increase in rim area, GC-IPL thickness and RNFL thickness was associated with a 1.21 µm, 2.68 µm and a 3.29 µm increase in arteriolar diameter and a 2.13 µm, 4.02 µm and 5.04 µm increase in venular diameter, respectively (p<0.001 for all).ConclusionsIncreased macular thickness, macular volume, GC-IPL thickness, RNFL thickness and optic nerve rim area were associated with larger RVDs in all subjects. This study clarified the anatomical correlations between both macular and ONH parameters with RVD for middle-aged Caucasians; these can represent a basis for further studies investigating the vascular aetiology of eye diseases.

Hemoglobin levels are associated with retinal vascular caliber in a middle-aged birth cohort

“…Associations between RVD and OCT parameters was recently published in the NFBC Eye Study 19 . However, we did not find an association of the OCT parameters with Hb levels.…”

Retinal neural tissue and vascular calibres in migraine: the Northern Finland Birth Cohort Eye Study

“…(2020). In our study, increase in macular central subfield thickness was also associated with an increase in CRVE but only in the control group, contrary to the study by Geneid et al., in which also RNFL had a positive influence on retinal vascular calibres (Geneid et al., 2020). This association was not detected in our study.…”

“…Average GC-IPL thickness was assessed with six-partite segmentation method (temporal superior, superior, nasal superior, nasal inferior, inferior and temporal inferior) encircling the fovea and RNFL respectively. Measurements of retinal vasculature CRAE (central retinal artery equivalent) and CRVE (central retinal vein equivalent) were performed from fundus photographs shot with a Canon CF-60DSi Digital Mydriatic Fundus Camera with an attached Canon EOS-1Ds MK III SLR Digital Camera (Canon, Tokyo, Japan) and calculated using the Integrative Vessel Analysis (IVAN) Software V.1.3 (Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA) as described by Geneid et al (2020). AVR was calculated using CRAE and CRVE measurements via the revised Parr-Hubbard formula.…”