Alteration of retinal layers in healthy subjects over 60 years of age until nonagenarians

Contains fulltext : 177256.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)PURPOSE: To assess alterations of retinal layers in healthy subjects over 60 years old. METHODS: Retinal layers of 160 healthy subjects (aged 60-100 years) without any retinal pathology were imaged using spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Mean thickness of retinal nerve fiber layer, ganglion cell/inner plexiform layer (GCLIPL), inner nuclear layer, outer plexiform layer/outer nuclear layer, photoreceptor complex (PR) and retinal thickness (RT) were measured in a 3.45 mm grid. Correlations between age and layers were estimated and linear regression equations were calculated. Different age-groups (60-69, 70-79, 80-89 years and nonagenarians, each group with 40 participants) were compared. RESULTS: Significant age-thickness correlations were observed for GCLIPL (P<0.001, r=-0.394), PR (P<0.001, r=-0.370) and RT (P<0.001, r=-0.290). A comparison between age groups 60-69 years and nonagenarians showed no significant thickness alteration of retinal nerve fiber layer (21.80+/-2.18 mum vs 22.82+/-2.97 mum, P=0.163), inner nuclear layer (37.23+/-3.02 mum vs 36.01+/-3.24 mum, P=0.07) and outer plexiform layer/outer nuclear layer (104.95+/-6.56 mum vs 104.23+/-7.59 mum, P=0.567), while GCLIPL (83.35+/-7.35 mum vs 74.38+/-9.09 mum), PR (83.03+/-3.31 mum vs 79.34+/-2.09 mum) and RT (330.64+/-12.63 mum vs 316.83+/-18.35 mum) showed a significant decrease (P