Retinal nerve fiber layer and optic disc measurements by spectral domain OCT: normative values and associations in young adults

Abstract

Purpose To determine normative values and associations of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and optic disc parameters in normal eyes measured by spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT).Methods In a population-based setting, 1521 young adults were examined as part of the Sydney Adolescent Vascular and Eye Study (SAVES). Their mean age was 17.3 ± 0.6 years. RNFL and optic disc parameter measurements were made using Cirrus HD-OCT 4000. Results The average RNFL was found to be 99.4±9.6 lm. RNFL thickness was least for the temporal quadrant (69.9±11.2 lm), followed by the nasal (74.3 ± 12.8 lm), superior (124.7 ± 15.7 lm) and inferior (128.8 ± 17.1 lm) quadrants. The mean disc area in this population was 1.98 ± 0.38 mm 2 with a mean rim area of 1.50 ± 0.30 mm 2 and a mean cup/disc ratio of 0.44±0.18. Multivariate-adjusted RNFL thickness was marginally greater in East Asian than in white participants (100.1 lm vs 99.5 lm; P ¼ 0.0005). The RNFL was thinner with greater axial length (Po0.0001), less positive spherical equivalent refractions (Po0.0001), smaller disc area and rim area (Po0.0001). Conclusion This study documents normative values for the RNFL and optic disc measured using Cirrus HD-OCT in young adults. The values and associations reported in this study can inform clinicians on the normal variation in RNFL and optic disc parameters.

Retinal nerve fibre layer thickness in a general population in Iran

“…Except for Latinos over 70 years of age, 20 two Indian studies, 35,36 a study in China 42 and Europe 21 which have reported that the RNFL is thickest in the superior quadrant, other studies are in agreement with us that the inferior quadrant has the thickest RNFL. Also, our results are in line with most studies stating that RNFL is thinnest in the temporal quadrant; 20,45 while a few studies report it to be nasal. 46,47 RNFL thickness is believed to correspond with the physiologic neuroretinal rim shape which follows the Inferior-Superior-Nasal-Temporal (ISNT) rule.…”

“…According to the results of the present study, the overall average RNFL thickness and the mean thicknesses in the superior and nasal quadrants were significantly lower in females. Other studies have had conflicting results in terms of gender and RNFL thickness; some studies had results in agreement with ours and some showed no inter‐gender difference. According to the present controversy, it is not possible to comment on the gender‐related difference in RNFL thickness with certainty.…”

The Foveal Position Relative to the Optic Disc and the Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness Profile in Myopia

“…31,32 In addition, the RNFL thickness on the inferior side tends to be slightly thicker than on the superior side in normal subjects. 4,33 However, the superior VF corresponding to the inferior retina is involved more frequently in the early stages of glaucoma, with faster progression than the inferior VF. 34,35 In addition, the inferotemporal meridian was found to be the most frequent location where RNFL progression was detected.…”

Correlation in retinal nerve fibre layer thickness in uveitis and healthy eyes using scanning laser polarimetry and optical coherence tomography

“…But values obtained with these two analysers have been found to be numerically different. Indeed, with SD-OCT, it has been reported that the mean papillary RNFL thickness in normal individuals ranges from 94.0 to 99.4 μm6 7 whereas with GDx VCC, the mean peripapillary RNFL thickness ranges from 55.26 to 58.59 μm 9 10…”