Five-year changes in macular thickness in the elderly population: A cohort study.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Retinal Imaging
• Public Health Research

Background:

• Macular thickness is a key indicator of retinal health.
• Understanding changes in macular thickness over time is crucial for diagnosing and managing eye conditions.
• Longitudinal studies are essential for tracking age-related and disease-related alterations in the macula.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the 5-year changes in macular thickness.
• To identify demographic and clinical factors associated with variations in macular thickness over time.
• To assess the clinical significance of observed changes in macular thickness.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the Shahroud Eye Cohort Study (2014 and 2019).
• Performed comprehensive eye examinations including visual acuity, autorefraction, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, and funduscopy.
• Employed Cirrus HD-OCT 4000 for precise macular thickness measurements.

Main Results:

• Central and overall macular thicknesses showed a slight decrease over 5 years (-3.48µ and -0.79µ, respectively).
• Central macular thickness (CMT) exhibited a U-shaped pattern with age, decreasing in females and smokers, and with higher BMI and baseline CMT.
• Overall macular thickness changes were non-linear with age, higher in females, and associated with anterior chamber depth.

Conclusions:

• A minor decrease in macular thickness was observed over 5 years, not reaching clinical significance.
• Age, sex, and refractive errors were identified as significant factors influencing macular thickness changes.
• The findings highlight the dynamic nature of macular thickness and its correlation with various demographic and ocular parameters.