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Retinal Fibre Layer Thickness Measurement in Normal Paediatric Population in Sweden Using Optical Coherence
Marcelo Ayala1, Evangelia Ntoula2
1Eye Department, Skaraborg Hospital, Skövde, Sweden; Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden; Karolinska Institute, Solna, Sweden.
Insights
In healthy children, refractive error significantly impacts retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness measurements. Age did not show a significant correlation with RNFL thickness in this pediatric optical coherence tomography (OCT) study.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Optometry
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness is a key indicator of optic nerve health.
- Establishing normative data for RNFL thickness in children is crucial for early detection of ocular conditions.
- Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive imaging technique used to measure RNFL thickness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between peripapillary RNFL thickness and age in healthy children.
- To determine the correlation between refractive error and peripapillary RNFL thickness in a pediatric cohort.
- To assess the utility of OCT in evaluating RNFL parameters in children.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 80 healthy children (mean age 9.1 years).
- Peripapillary RNFL thickness was measured using the Topcon 3D OCT 2000 after cycloplegia.
- Statistical analysis included ANOVA to evaluate the effects of age and refractive error on RNFL thickness.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant effect of age on RNFL thickness was observed (p = 0.56).
- Refractive error demonstrated a statistically significant effect on RNFL measurements (p < 0.05).
- Mean total RNFL thickness was 105 ± 10.3 μm, with significant variation based on refractive error.
Conclusions:
- Refractive error is a significant confounding factor in pediatric RNFL thickness measurements using OCT.
- Age is not a significant determinant of RNFL thickness in healthy children within the studied range.
- Findings contribute to establishing normative RNFL databases for pediatric populations, emphasizing the need to account for refractive error.
Abstract:
Purpose. To evaluate the correlation between peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness and both age and refraction error in healthy children using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Patients and Methods. 80 healthy children with a mean age of 9.1 years (range 3.8 to 16.7 years) undergoing routine ocular examination at the orthoptic section of the Ophthalmology Department were recruited for this cross-sectional study. After applying cycloplegia, the peripapillary RNFL thickness was measured in both eyes using the Topcon 3D OCT 2000 device. Results. 138 eyes were included in the analysis. The average refractive error (SE) was +1.7 D (range -5.25 to +7.25 D). The mean total RNFL thickness was 105 μm ± 10.3, the mean superior RNFL thickness was 112.7 μm ± 16.5, and the mean inferior RNFL thickness was 132.6 μm ± 18.3. We found no statistically significant effect of age on RNFL thickness (ANOVA, f = 0.33, p = 0.56). Refraction was proven to have a statistically significant effect (ANOVA, f = 67.1, p < 0.05) in RNFL measurements. Conclusions. Data obtained from this study may assist in establishing a normative database for a paediatric population. Refraction error should be taken into consideration due to its statistically significant correlation with RNFL thickness.
