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Race-, age-, gender-, and refractive error-related differences in the normal optic disc
R Varma1, J M Tielsch, H A Quigley
1Dana Center for Preventive Ophthalmology, Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute, School of Hygiene and Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md.
Archives of Ophthalmology (Chicago, Ill. : 1960)
|August 1, 1994
Summary
Racial differences in optic disc size and topography exist in healthy Americans, with Black individuals having larger discs and cup-to-disc ratios. Age, gender, and refractive error showed no significant impact on these measurements.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Optometry
- Public Health
Background:
- Optic disc size and topography are crucial for diagnosing glaucoma and other optic neuropathies.
- Understanding variations in optic disc morphology across different demographic groups is essential for accurate clinical assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate race-, age-, gender-, and refractive error-related differences in the size and topography of the optic disc in healthy Americans.
- To establish normative data for optic disc parameters in a diverse population.
Main Methods:
- Population-based study of 4877 healthy Black and White individuals aged 40 years or older in Baltimore, MD.
- Analysis of simultaneous stereoscopic optic disc photographs using an image analyzer.
- Measurements included disc area, neural rim area, cup area, cup-to-disc ratio, and neural rim area-to-disc area ratio.
Main Results:
- Black individuals exhibited significantly larger optic disc areas, cup areas, and cup-to-disc ratios compared to White individuals.
- Neural rim areas were similar between races, but neural rim area-to-disc area ratios were smaller in Black individuals.
- No significant age-related differences were found in any optic disc measurements. Male subjects had slightly larger optic discs than female subjects.
- No association was detected between refractive error and optic disc measurements.
Conclusions:
- Significant racial differences in normal optic disc size and topography exist among urban Americans.
- These racial variations must be considered when evaluating the optic disc for glaucoma and other optic neuropathies.
- No age-related decline in neural rim area was detected in individuals aged 40 and older; gender and refractive error did not significantly influence optic disc morphology.