Optic Nerve Head Parameters in a Turkish Population Over Forty Years of Age

To evaluate the optic disc area and cup area in a normal population over 40 years of age.

This prospective study was performed in Eskişehir. Fundus photographs were obtained using a nonmydriatic fundus camera. Planimetric measurements of the optic disc and cup area were performed with VK-2 digital imaging software. Optic nerve parameters were then compared between sex and age groups.

A total of 3,038 subjects were evaluated. Mean age was 56.6±10.4 years (range 40-91 years). The median disc area of the subjects was 2.87 (2.53-3.23) mm² in the right eyes and 2.89 (2.55-3.25) mm² in the left eyes (p<0.001). The median cup area of the subjects was 0.46 mm² (0.33-0.64 mm²) in the right eyes and 0.44 mm² (0.33-0.61 mm²) in the left eyes (p<0.001). The differences in disc and cup area between male and female subjects were not statistically significant (p>0.05).

We report the normal distribution of disc area and cup area measurements and their association with age and sex.