Optic disc morphology and interocular symmetry in children

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Pediatric Optometry
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Optic disc parameters are crucial for diagnosing optic nerve diseases.
• Establishing normative data in pediatric populations is essential for accurate assessment.
• Interocular symmetry provides valuable insights into ocular health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create a pediatric reference database for optic disc parameters and interocular symmetry.
• To investigate the influence of age, spherical equivalent (SE), and sex on these parameters.
• To establish normative ranges for interocular symmetry of optic disc measurements.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study involving 90 pediatric patients aged 5-17 years.
• Comprehensive eye examinations including cycloplegic refraction.
• Optical coherence tomography (OCT) using a 3D scan protocol for optic disc analysis.

Main Results:

• Multivariate regression analysis showed no significant association between optic disc parameters and age, sex, or SE (P ≥ 0.126).
• The 95th percentile limit for absolute interocular differences in cup-to-disc area ratio was 0.24.
• No correlation was found between optic disc parameter asymmetry and age, sex, or interocular SE difference (P ≥ 0.105).

Conclusions:

• Pediatric reference databases for optic disc parameters are vital for clinical diagnosis.
• Normative ranges for interocular symmetry aid in detecting abnormalities.
• These databases support the diagnosis and management of optic nerve diseases in children.