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A population-based study of macular thickness in full-term children assessed with Stratus OCT: normative data and
Urban Eriksson1, Gerd Holmström, Albert Alm
1Department of Ophthalmology, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.
Insights
This study establishes normal macular thickness values for children using optical coherence tomography (OCT). These findings provide crucial reference data for pediatric retinal evaluations.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Accurate macular thickness measurements are vital for diagnosing pediatric retinal conditions.
- Existing optical coherence tomography (OCT) devices often provide normative data primarily for adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine normal macular thickness values in healthy, full-term children using optical coherence tomography (OCT).
- To establish age- and gender-independent normative data for pediatric macular thickness.
- To assess the repeatability of OCT measurements in children.
Main Methods:
- Examined 56 children (aged 5-16 years) with Stratus OCT using the fast macular map protocol.
- Included children with specific visual acuity and refractive error parameters.
- Calculated mean values for nine ETDRS areas, foveal minimum thickness, and macular volume from 55 eyes.
Main Results:
- Mean central macular thickness was 204 ± 19 μm; mean total macular volume was 7.11 ± 0.35 mm³.
- No significant correlations were found between age, gender, and macular thickness.
- High repeatability (coefficients of variance < 2%, intraclass correlations > 0.9) was observed for most macular areas.
Conclusions:
- This study reports normative macular thickness values for healthy children, essential for pediatric retinal assessments.
- The established values serve as a superior reference compared to adult data for children with retinal abnormalities.
- Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is confirmed as a suitable and highly repeatable imaging tool for pediatric retinal examination.
Purpose:
We aimed to determine normal macular thickness values, assessed with optical coherence tomography (OCT), in a population of full-term children of normal birthweight.
Methods:
A total of 56 children, aged 5-16 years, randomly chosen from the population register, were examined with Stratus OCT. Only children with visual acuity < 0.2 logMAR, spherical equivalent of - 3 to + 3 D and astigmatism < 2 D were included. The fast macular map protocol was used and three examinations were performed in each eye. One eye was then randomized for further analyses. Mean values for the nine ETDRS areas, foveal minimum thickness and macular volume were calculated for 55 eyes. Coefficients of variance and intraclass correlations were calculated for each area.
Results:
All children co-operated well and no child was excluded for lack of concentration. Mean ± standard deviation central macular thickness was 204 ± 19 μm. Mean total macular volume was 7.11 ± 0.35 mm(3). No correlations were found between age, gender and macular thickness. Coefficients of variance were < 2% and intraclass correlations were > 0.9 in all areas, except the foveal minimum.
Conclusions:
Normal values for macular thickness in healthy full-term children were reported. As the Stratus OCT provides normal values only for adults, these data are a better alternative for comparison with children with retinal abnormalities. We concluded that OCT is suitable for examining the retina in children aged 5-16 years and has the same high level of repeatability as in adults.
