Ganglion cell complex thickness with spectral domain optical coherence tomography and correlations in a normative pediatric South Asian cohort
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 19, 2025
Optical Coherence Tomography: Imaging Mouse Retinal Ganglion Cells In Vivo
Published on: September 22, 2017
1Department of Ophthalmology, Foundation University School of Health Sciences, Foundation University Islamabad, Fauji Foundation Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Insights
This study established normative data for ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness in Pakistani children using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Results show GCC thickness is higher in males and correlates with axial length, aiding optic nerve disorder diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neuroscience
- Pediatrics
Background:
- The ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness is a crucial indicator for diagnosing optic nerve disorders like glaucoma and optic neuropathies.
- Establishing normative data for pediatric populations is essential for accurate diagnosis and monitoring.
- Previous studies have not specifically focused on the Pakistani pediatric population for GCC thickness measurements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the normative values of perifoveal GCC thickness in healthy Pakistani children.
- To analyze the correlation of GCC thickness with age, gender, axial length, and refractive status.
- To provide a baseline dataset for the early detection and management of optic nerve diseases in children.
Main Methods:
- Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) was employed to measure the perifoveal GCC thickness.
- 174 eyes from 87 healthy Pakistani children aged 3 to 16 years were included.
- Exclusion criteria included significant refractive error, glaucoma, ocular pathology, and systemic diseases.
Main Results:
- The average global GCC thickness was 120.01 ± 76.74 μm.
- GCC thickness showed a positive correlation with axial length (p = 0.02).
- GCC thickness was significantly higher in males compared to females across all sectors (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first normative data for macular GCC thickness in the Pakistani pediatric population.
- The findings highlight the importance of gender and axial length in GCC thickness variations.
- This normative database will aid clinicians in diagnosing and monitoring optic nerve disorders in children.
Abstract:
Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) was used to assess the perifoveal Ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness in healthy Pakistani children. 174 eyes of 87 healthy children (3 to 16 years) were included after a thorough eye examination. Significant refractive error was excluded (>± 5 DS), glaucoma, ocular pathology, intraocular surgery, trauma, and systemic ailments. The perifoveal GCC analysis was done by Optopol Revo 80® high resolution SD-OCT. The average age was 11.1 ± 3.12 years. The average GCC thickness globally was 120.01 ± 76.74 μm, superiorly; 117.51 ± 8.77 μm, superonasally; 120.47 ± 8.78 μm, superotemporally, 103.83 ± 8.25 μm, inferiorly; 117.41 ± 8.71 μm, inferonasally 120.57 ± 8.88 μm, and inferotemporally; 107.15 ± 7.69 μm. The average GCC thickness was positively correlated with axial length (p = .02) and the GCC thickness in all sectors was significantly higher amongst males as compared to females (p < .05). Our study provides normative data for the macular GCC thickness in healthy children of our population. GCC thickness estimation is an important diagnostic parameter in glaucoma and optic neuropathies. Establishing a normative database for our pediatric population would help immensely in the diagnosis and monitoring of optic nerve disorders. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Spectral domain optical coherence tomography guided measurement of the ganglion cell complex thickness of the Pakistani pediatric population has not been done before. Our study provides normative data for the macular ganglion cell complex in healthy children of our population and studies its correlations with age, gender, intraocular pressure, axial length, refractive status, and corneal thickness. This will guide us in optic nerve and neurological disease diagnosis and monitoring.
