Axial Length, More Than Aging, Decreases the Thickness and Superficial Vessel Density of Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer in Non-glaucomatous Eyes

Overview

Journal Int Ophthalmol

Specialty Ophthalmology

Date 2024 Mar 13

PMID 38478099

Authors

Kuan-I Huang

Fang-Ying Su

Heng-Yen Ho

Heng-Chen Ho

Yan-Wu Chen

Chih-Kuo Lee

Feipei Lai

Henry Horng-Shing Lu

Mei-Lan Ko

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Purpose: This study seeks to build a normative database for the vessel density of the superficial retina (SVD) and evaluate how changes and trends in the retinal microvasculature may be influenced by age and axial length (AL) in non-glaucomatous eyes, as measured with optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).

Methods: We included 500 eyes of 290 healthy subjects visiting a county hospital. Each participant underwent comprehensive ophthalmological examinations and OCTA to measure the SVD and thickness of the macular and peripapillary areas. To analyze correlations between SVD and age or AL, multivariable linear regression models with generalized estimating equations were applied.

Results: Age was negatively correlated with the SVD of the superior, central, and inferior macular areas and the superior peripapillary area, with a decrease rate of 1.06%, 1.36%, 0.84%, and 0.66% per decade, respectively. However, inferior peripapillary SVD showed no significant correlation with age. AL was negatively correlated with the SVD of the inferior macular area and the superior and inferior peripapillary areas, with coefficients of -0.522%/mm, -0.733%/mm, and -0.664%/mm, respectively. AL was also negatively correlated with the thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer and inferior ganglion cell complex (p = 0.004).

Conclusion: Age and AL were the two main factors affecting changes in SVD. Furthermore, AL, a relative term to represent the degree of myopia, had a greater effect than age and showed a more significant effect on thickness than on SVD. This relationship has important implications because myopia is a significant issue in modern cities.

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