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Axial length-related inter-individual variability in the posterior pole morphology of healthy eyes
1Department of Ophthalmology, University of Padova, Street Giustiniani n. 2 35128, Padova, Italy. frisinarino@gmail.com.
Aim:
To evaluate morphological characteristics of optic nerve head (ONH) and fovea (F) related to axial length (AL) in healthy eyes.
Methods:
This is an observational study. A consecutive series of healthy subjects was enrolled. Demographic and clinical parameters were age, gender, eye, intraocular pressure, spherical equivalent, AL. Tomographic parameters were ONH-F distance, ONH-F angle, horizontal and vertical ONH diameters, retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and foveal profile patterns.
Results:
One hundred six eyes (56 patients) were recruited. A correlation between AL and ONH-F distance was demonstrated (p = 0.0342). Horizontal diameter decreased with increasing AL (p = 0.0003), conferring to ONH a more oval shape. A significant decrease in RNFL thickness was correlated with AL, except for temporal quadrant. Two foveal profile patterns were described: concave and straight patterns. Eyes with concave pattern were longer than eyes with straight pattern.
Conclusion:
Eye elongation affects the morphology of the ONH, the fovea and the distribution of retinal nerve fibers.
