ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To compare foveal shapes in Koreans according to age and gender using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). METHODS: This study included 230 eyes of 115 healthy adults. The subjects were divided into three groups: group 1 (20-39 years of age), group 2 (40-59 years of age) and group 3 (60-79 years of age). Using spectralis OCT, we measured central foveal thickness (CFT), regional maximal retinal thickness (MRT), pit diameter and pit depth and compared the differences between the groups. RESULTS: The MRT of the superior, inferior and nasal sides in group 1 was higher than in groups 2 and 3 (p < 0.05). No significant difference was observed in the MRT of the temporal side. Regarding differences based on age, no significant differences in CFT, pit diameter and pit depth were observed. Regarding differences in gender, the temporal regional MRT of males in group 3 was significantly lower than in group 1 and the pit depth of males in group 1 was significantly higher than in groups 2 and 3. Therefore, differences were observed according to gender. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, differences in foveal shape were found according to age and gender which should be considered when foveal diseases are evaluated.