Study on ageing changes of the optic nerve head in a group of normal subjects.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Thickness of RNFL around the different quadrants of the optic disc margin progressively increases. Macular fibers occupying the lateral quadrant are the most resistant to glaucomatous damage and explain the retention of the central vision till end. This study was undertaken to determine the age related changes in the optic nerve head (ONH) and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) in a group of normal subjects. Material and Methods: This prospective cross sectional hospital based study consisted of 150 healthy eyes of 75 subjects whom underwent ONH measurement using the Optovue optical coherence tomography (OCT) and examined the result of optic nerve head parameters and RNFL. Results- Mean cup disc ratio was found to be higher with increasing age. And the average RNFL thickness was found to decrease with increasing age. Conclusion: There are changes in optic disc parameters and RNFL with increasing age and the changes were measurable and significant.