Retinal nerve fiber layer and ganglion cell layer thickness in normal Egyptians by fourier domain optical coherence tomography

ABSTRACT

To determine retinal nerve fiber layer thickness [RNFLT] and ganglion cell layer thickness [GCLT] among different normal Egyptian age groups using the Fourier domain optical coherence tomography [Optovue RTVue 2006]. Eighty two eyes of 82 normal subjects [36 males and 46 females age range 20 to 78 years; mean 47.29 +/- 14.54 years] who satisfied the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included. The subjects were defined as normal if they had best corrected visual acuity of 6/9 or better, intra-ocular pressure less than 22 mmhg with normal optic disc and no ocular abnormality. All patients underwent optical coherence tomography [OCT] imaging with the Opto-Vue RTVue 2006. The results were evaluated and compared to determine normal variations in nerve fiber layer and ganglion cell layer thickness among different age groups. Mean RNFLT was 110.27 +/- 7.54 micro m [range 97 to 131 micro m] and mean GCLT was 100.59 +/- 4.47 micro m [range 89 to 110 micro m] with no significant difference between males and females. Thickest NFL was found among the youngest group between 20 and 30 years old [115.43 +/- 11.41 micro m; range 102 to 131 micro m] and thinnest in the over 60 years group [105.67 +/- 5.4 micro m; range 98 to 118microm]. Regarding the ganglion cell layr thickness, the least was in the oldest age group above 60 [95.83 +/- 4.56 micro m; range 89 to 103 micro m]. Younger age groups had very little difference in between. Mean RNFLT in the superior quadrant was 140.46 +/- 11.08 micro m [range 112 to 168 micro m], nasal was 78.12 +/- 7.49 micro m [range 60 to 93 micro m], inferior 137.61 +/- 12.3 micro m [range 120 to 171 micro m] and temporal quadrant was 84.9 +/- 11.12 micro m [range 65 to 120 micro m]. Our results provide normal nerve fiber layer and ganglion cell layer thickness in normal Egyptians. RNFLT and GCLT decrease in old age