Normative database of retinal nerve fiber layer and macular retinal thickness in a Thai population

• Published in: Japanese journal of ophthalmology Vol. 52; no. 6; pp. 450 - 456
• Main Authors: Manassakorn, Anita, Chaidaroon, Winai, Ausayakhun, Somsanguan, Aupapong, Soontaree, Wattananikorn, Sopa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Tokyo Springer Japan 01.11.2008; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Asian Continental Ancestry Group; Clinical Investigation; Databases, Factual; Female; Humans; Linear Models; Macula Lutea - anatomy & histology; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; Nerve Fibers - ultrastructure; Ophthalmology; Reference Values; Retina - ultrastructure; Thailand; Tomography, Optical Coherence; Young Adult; Thailand; macular retinal thickness; retinal nerve fiber layer thickness; optical coherence tomography; glaucoma
• ISSN: 0021-5155; 1613-2246; 1613-2246
• DOI: 10.1007/s10384-008-0538-6

Purpose To investigate the distribution of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and macular retinal thickness measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT) in a Thai population. Methods We studied one eye each of 250 healthy subjects [age ≥ 18 years; spherical refractive error within ±6 diopters (D); astigmatism ≤3 D; no ocular pathology]. A complete eye examination, standard automated perimetry, and fast RNFL and macular thickness measurement by OCT were performed, and a disc photograph was taken. The distributions of both thicknesses, including their relationship with demographic data, were analyzed. Results The mean ± SD age of the study population was 44.7 ± 12.2 years. The mean ± SD RNFL thickness was 109.3 ± 10.5 m, which was 10% thicker than that in the OCT normative database. RNFL decreased 2.3 m per decade ( P < 0.001). Sex and spherical equivalent were not associated with RNFL thinning. The mean ± SD central foveal thickness was 183.2 ± 1.3 m. The macular thickness in the outer area was significantly thinner than that in the inner area ( P < 0.001). The temporal regions were the thinnest among the four quadrants ( P < 0.001). Thinning of all macular areas, except the center, was found to be associated with advancing age ( P < 0.05). Conclusions RNFL thickness in the measured Thai population was about 10% thicker than that in the original normative database. Macular thickness and RNFL thickness in the superior and inferior quadrants decreased with advancing age.