Abstract
PurposeTo identify the factors which significantly contribute to the thickness variabilities in macular retinal layers measured by optical coherence tomography with or without magnification correction of analytical areas in normal subjects.MethodsThe thickness of retinal layers {retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), ganglion cell layer plus inner plexiform layer (GCLIPL), RNFL plus GCLIPL (ganglion cell complex, GCC), total retina, total retina minus GCC (outer retina)} were measured by macular scans (RS-3000, NIDEK) in 202 eyes of 202 normal Asian subjects aged 20 to 60 years. The analytical areas were defined by three concentric circles (1-, 3- and 6-mm nominal diameters) with or without magnification correction. For each layer thickness, a semipartial correlation (sr) was calculated for explanatory variables including age, gender, axial length, corneal curvature, and signal strength index.ResultsOuter retinal thickness was significantly thinner in females than in males (sr2, 0.07 to 0.13) regardless of analytical areas or magnification correction. Without magnification correction, axial length had a significant positive sr with RNFL (sr2, 0.12 to 0.33) and a negative sr with GCLIPL (sr2, 0.22 to 0.31), GCC (sr2, 0.03 to 0.17), total retina (sr2, 0.07 to 0.17) and outer retina (sr2, 0.16 to 0.29) in multiple analytical areas. The significant sr in RNFL, GCLIPL and GCC became mostly insignificant following magnification correction.ConclusionsThe strong correlation between the thickness of inner retinal layers and axial length appeared to result from magnification effects. Outer retinal thickness may differ by gender and axial length independently of magnification correction.
Highlights
Evolution of optical coherence tomography (OCT) technologies has made in vivo thickness measurements of retinal layers an indispensable tool for the diagnosis and management of various diseases involving the macula
The strong correlation between the thickness of inner retinal layers and axial length appeared to result from magnification effects
Outer retinal thickness may differ by gender and axial length independently of magnification correction
Summary
Evolution of optical coherence tomography (OCT) technologies has made in vivo thickness measurements of retinal layers an indispensable tool for the diagnosis and management of various diseases involving the macula. Determinants of macular layer thickness in normal subjects have been extensively studied in order to establish a normative database for improving diagnostic accuracy [7,8,9,10] and to reveal normal anatomical nature of the macula by utilizing data from population-based studies [11,12,13,14]. Only a few studies have conducted a multivariate regression analysis to determine the relationship between various clinical factors and the thickness of multiple retinal layers [10,17,18,22]. Dependencies on age and ethnicity are relatively well characterized and are incorporated into the normative databases of commercially available OCT devices, the clinical relevance of other factors remain to be established
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
