Comparison of macular, retinal nerve fiber layer, and optic disc parameters between children and adults

Abstract

Purpose: To compare the normative data obtained by Optical coherence tomography (OCT) from healthy adults and preschoolers in order to investigate the structural alteration in macula and optic disc by aging. Materials and Methods: In our study, 172 eyes of 111 healthy children at age between 3 and 6 years and 53 eyes of 30 healthy adults at age between 19 and 59 years were evaluated by Stratus OCT and were measured for axial length. Parameters of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), macula, and optic disc were analyzed in adults and children. Results: The mean age of the children and the adults were 4.79±0.98 years (range: 2.83-6.67 years) and 35.43±8.99 years (range: 19-59 years); respectively. While the thicknesses of fovea and all inner segments of macula (central, superior, temporal, inferior and nasal inner segments) were significantly thicker in adults than in children (p<0.01 for all parameters), there was no significant difference between the children and the adults for macular volume and other macular parameters. RNFL thicknesses in all quadrants were thinner in adults than in children, but statistically significant difference between the groups was found in only parameter of average RNFL (p=0.015). Disc and rim area of the children were thicker than those of the adults and cup area, c/d ratio, vertical and horizontal c/d ratios were lower in adults than in children (p<0.01 for all parameters). Conclusion: Fovea and all inner macular segments are thicker in adults than in children. It can be thought that central macular area and fovea, in which detailed vision is processed, get thicker during the ocular maturation.