Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer and Macular Retinal Ganglion Cell Layer Thicknesses in Healthy Korean Children

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To measure the thicknesses of the circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and macular retinal ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) by optical coherence tomography (OCT) in healthy Korean children and adolescents. METHODS: Circumpapillary RNFL and macular GCIPL thicknesses were measured by OCT in 352 healthy eyes of 352 children and adolescents (child-adolescent group) aged 5–17 years and in 159 healthy eyes of 159 adults (adult group) aged 18-75 years. The difference in RNFL and GCIPL thicknesses between the groups and the effects of age and refractive errors on the measurements were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean age of the children and adults were 9.7 ± 3.6 and 44.7 ± 15.7 years, respectively. The mean of the average RNFL and GCIPL thicknesses were 103.1 ± 9.2 and 85.7 ± 4.6 µm, respectively, in the children group and 97.8 ± 8.2 and 82.9 ± 4.4 µm, respectively, in the adult group. The child-adolescent group had greater RNFL and GCIPL thicknesses compared to the adult group in all areas (p < 0.05) with the exception of the RNFL thickness in the temporal quadrant (p = 0.555). A thinner RNFL and thinner GCIPL were significantly associated with older age and greater myopia (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The mean RNFL and GCIPL thicknesses measured by OCT in the healthy eyes of children and adolescents were 103.1 and 85.7 µm, respectively. Children and adolescents had a thicker RNFL and GCIPL compared to adults.