Correlation between retinal nerve fiber layer measurements and refractive error and age / 中国医师杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the relationship between retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL)thickness measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and the refractive error and age using partial correlation analysis. Methods A total of 106 right eyes of healthy subjects, comprising 33 eyes with high myopia ( spherical equivalent [SE] < - 6. 0 D) , 60 eyes with moderate myopia ( - 6. 0 D ≤ SE < - 3.0 D) and 13 eyes with low myopia and emmetropia ( -3.0 D≤SE <0. 5 D) were analyzed in this cross-sectional study. Mean clock hour, quadrant and total average RNFL thicknesses were measured by OCT and compared among the three groups respectively. Associations among RNFL measurements and spherical equivalent and age were evaluated by partial correlation analysis. Results The mean RNFL thickness measurement in high myopia(95.74 ± 13.46) μm was significantly lower than that in moderate myopia group ( 101.43 ± 11.53 ) μm, low myopia group and emmetropia group ( 108. 06 ± 8.42) μm ( P < 0. 05 ). Positive correlations were found between RNFL measurements at 1, 5, 6 and 12 o'clock, superior and inferior quadrant, and total average RNFL and SE ( r = 0. 36,0. 33,0. 43,0. 29,0. 28,0. 39, P < 0. 01, r = 0. 22,P <0. 05), while negative correlations were found between RNFL measurements at 8, 9 and 10 o'clock and temporal quadrant and SE ( r = -0.21, P <0.05, r = -0.36, P <0.01; r = -0.24, P <0.05; r = -0. 30, P <0. 01 ). RNFL measurements at 2, 3, 4 and 6 o'clock and nasal and inferior quadrant varied with age ( r = -0.20,-0.20,-0.20,P <0.05,r =0.31,P <0.01). Conclusions RNFL measurements varied with the refractive error and age. Analysis of RNFL thickness in the evaluation of glaucoma should always be interpreted with reference to the refractive status and age. In the same time, the location of the RNFL should be noted.