Evaluation of factors associated with variability in retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in myopic juveniles aged 7-18 years

To evaluate the relationship between retinal nerve fiber layer thickness(RNFLT)measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and age, spherical equivalent (SE), axial length, and gender in myopic juveniles.Cross-sectional observational study. One hundred and fifty-four juveniles (age range, 7-18 years) underwent ophthalmic examinations. Peripapillary Fast RNFL scans were performed by Stratus OCT with a nominal diameter of 3.46 mm centered on the optic disc on one randomly selected eye of each subject. Axial length was measured by A-ultrasound. The effects of several factors (age, SE, axial length, gender and eye) on RNFLT were investigated in univariate and multivariate stepwise regression analyses.The mean global RNFLT (x(-) ± s) was (114.106 ± 11.473) μm. The RNFLT was thickest superiorly (145.468 ± 19.064) μm and inferiorly (138.091 ± 20.464) μm, thinner temporally (94.396 ± 18.544) μm, and thinnest nasally (78.558 ± 16.981) μm. Both global and superior peripapillary RNFLT had no significant relationship with age (r = 0.129, 0.014; P > 0.05), SE (r = 0.006, 0.123; P > 0.05), axial length (r = -0.067, -0.141; P > 0.05), gender (r = -0.095, 0.025; P > 0.05) and laterality (r = -0.148, 0.095; P > 0.05). In multivariate stepwise regression analyses, there was significant inverse linear correlation between temporal RNFLT and SE (r = -0.465, P < 0.05). There was significant inverse linear correlation between nasal RNFLT and axial length and laterality (r = -0.327, P < 0.05). There was significant inverse linear correlation between inferior RNFLT and axial length (r = -0.276, P < 0.05), and direct linear correlation between inferior RNFLT and age (r = 0.276, P < 0.05).When we assess the RNFLT in myopic juveniles, we should consider the influence of age, refraction, axial length, spherical equivalent and laterality comprehensively.PubMed0111011-54