Ganglion cell complex thickness with spectral domain optical coherence tomography and correlations in a normative pediatric South Asian cohort.

Abstract

Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) was used to assess the perifoveal Ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness in healthy Pakistani children. 174 eyes of 87 healthy children (3 to 16 years) were included after a thorough eye examination. Significant refractive error was excluded (>± 5 DS), glaucoma, ocular pathology, intraocular surgery, trauma, and systemic ailments. The perifoveal GCC analysis was done by Optopol Revo 80® high resolution SD-OCT. The average age was 11.1 ± 3.12 years. The average GCC thickness globally was 120.01 ± 76.74 μm, superiorly; 117.51 ± 8.77 μm, superonasally; 120.47 ± 8.78 μm, superotemporally, 103.83 ± 8.25 μm, inferiorly; 117.41 ± 8.71 μm, inferonasally 120.57 ± 8.88 μm, and inferotemporally; 107.15 ± 7.69 μm. The average GCC thickness was positively correlated with axial length (p=.02) and the GCC thickness in all sectors was significantly higher amongst males as compared to females (p < .05). Our study provides normative data for the macular GCC thickness in healthy children of our population. GCC thickness estimation is an important diagnostic parameter in glaucoma and optic neuropathies. Establishing a normative database for our pediatric population would help immensely in the diagnosis and monitoring of optic nerve disorders. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Spectral domain optical coherence tomography guided measurement of the ganglion cell complex thickness of the Pakistani pediatric population has not been done before. Our study provides normative data for the macular ganglion cell complex in healthy children of our population and studies its correlations with age, gender, intraocular pressure, axial length, refractive status, and corneal thickness. This will guide us in optic nerve and neurological disease diagnosis and monitoring.