Localized retinal nerve fiber layer defects detected by optical coherence tomography: the Beijing eye study

To assess the prevalence of localized retinal nerve fiber layer defects (LRNFLD) and associated factors in adult Chinese.

The population-based Beijing Eye Study 2011 included 3468 individuals (mean age: 64.6±9.8 years (range: 50-93 years)). The study participants underwent a detailed ophthalmological examination including spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (Spectralis(R)-OCT) assisted measurement of the RNFL. A LRNFLD was defined as a sector in which the RNFL contour line dipped into the red zone for a length of <180°.

Readable OCT images were available for 3242 (93.5%) subjects. LRNFLDs were detected in 640 eyes (9.9±0.4%) of 479 subjects (14.8±0.6%). In the age groups of 50-59 years, 60-69 years, 70-79 years, and 80+ years, the prevalence of LRNFLD per person increased from 9.9±0.9%, 11.6±1.0% and 20.6±1.4% to 33.0±3.2%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, prevalence of LRNFLDs was significantly associated with older age (P = 0.001; Odds Ratio (OR): 1.03; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.01,1.05), myopic refractive error (P<0.001;OR:0.79;95%CI:0.74,0.85), larger beta zone of parapapillary atrophy (P<0.001; OR:1.34;95%CI:1.20,1.50), presence of glaucomatous optic neuropathy (P<0.001;OR:7.02;95%CI:3.87,12.7), presence of non-glaucomatous optic nerve damage (P = 0.001;OR:43.3;95%CI:8.24,227.1), and presence of diabetic retinopathy (P = 0.003;OR:2.79;95%CI:1.43,5.44).

OCT-defined LRNFLDs were present in a prevalence of 14.8±0.6% in a population-based study sample of subjects aged 50+ years. Prevalence of LRNFLDs increased with higher age, myopic refractive error, and larger parapapillary beta zone. Major ocular diseases associated with LRNFLs were glaucoma, non-glaucomatous optic nerve damage and diabetic retinopathy. These data may be helpful for a semiautomatic assessment of the RNFL.