RETINAL NERVE FIBER LAYER THICKNESS MEASUREMENTS VIA SD-OCT IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS

Purpose: To determine the normative values of the retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFL) via spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in healthy pediatrics. Methods: Sixty eyes of 30 healthy pediatric patients (20 females, 10 males) were included in this prospective study. After full ophthalmologic examination RNFL measurements were performed via Spectralis SD-OCT. Results: The mean age was 10.8 ± 3.1 years (range 6- 15). The mean central macular thickness was 261 ± 27 µm (range 223- 434). The mean RNFL thickness was 127.9 ± 13.1 µm (range 109 – 160 µm) for superior quadrant; 76.7 ± 11.9 µm (range 15 – 93 µm) for temporal quadrant; 130.1 ± 10.5 µm (range 98 – 149 µm) for inferior quadrant and 84.5 ± 11.7 µm (range 59 – 107 µm) for nasal quadrant. The mean average RNFL thickness was 104.9 ± 6.7 µm (range 90 – 116 µm). Conclusion: The means and normative reference ranges of RNFL thickness are provided for Spectralis OCT in healthy pediatrics, between 6-15 years old, and this values can be used as a standard to compare those of children suspected of having retinal or optic nerve abnormalities