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Aging changes of the optic nerve head in relation to open angle glaucoma
D F Garway-Heath1, G Wollstein, R A Hitchings
1Glaucoma Unit, Moorfields Eye Hospital, London.
The British Journal of Ophthalmology
|March 5, 1998
Summary
Optic nerve head structure changes with age, with neuroretinal rim area declining and optic cup increasing. These age-related changes are significant for glaucoma diagnosis and monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Optometry
- Gerontology
Background:
- The aging population necessitates understanding normative changes in ocular structures.
- Optic nerve head (ONH) morphology is crucial for diagnosing and monitoring glaucoma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify age-related structural changes in the optic nerve head of healthy individuals.
- To evaluate the clinical significance of these changes in relation to open-angle glaucoma.
Main Methods:
- Studied 88 healthy white volunteers using computer-assisted planimetry and scanning laser ophthalmoscopy.
- Measured optic disc, optic cup, and neuroretinal rim areas, vertical optic disc diameter, and cup/disc diameter ratio.
- Compared results from two distinct imaging and measurement devices.
Main Results:
- Neuroretinal rim area decreased by 0.28%-0.39% annually.
- Vertical optic cup diameter and optic cup area showed age-related increases.
- The mean cup/disc diameter ratio increased by approximately 0.1 between ages 30 and 70.
Conclusions:
- Age-related ONH changes are measurable and statistically significant.
- These normative aging changes must be considered when evaluating glaucoma suspects.
- Understanding age-related ONH alterations is vital for accurate glaucoma progression assessment.