Longitudinal Stability of Optical Coherence Tomography Measures of Peripapillary Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness, Macular Thickness, and Macular Volume in Control and Glaucomatous Eyes of Children
Background/Aims: To document baseline and longitudinal values for peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, macular thickness, and macular volume as measured by optical coherence tomography(OCT) in glaucomatous and control eyes of children, followed prospectively for a mean of 2.4 years (range 0.5-5.3 years). Methods: OCT measurements (Fast RNFL 3.4 Thickness, Fast RNFL Map, and Fast Macular Thickness Map protocols; StratusOCT, Carl-Zeiss-Meditech, Dublin,CA) were obtained at baseline and on follow-up in 27 control and 19 glaucoma participants at the Duke University Eye Center Pediatric Clinic. Longitudinal changes were compared between groups with a two-sample-t-test and multiple linear regression analysis of covariance model adjusting for age, race, and baseline refractive error. Results: Eyes with glaucoma exhibited reduced baseline macular thickness, macular volume, and RNFL thickness, and increased myopia, compared to control eyes (eg. macular volume 6.54 vs. 7.03 mm3, p=0.006; RNFL 3.4 thickness 87.8 vs. 110.6μm, p=0.02). All OCT parameters studied showed minimal change over time, and rates of change were similar between groups. Conclusion: Baseline differences and longitudinal stability of OCT parameters were seen in normal and clinically stable glaucomatous eyes of children. These findings support continued study of OCT as an easily performed clinical adjunct in evaluation and management of children with glaucoma.Master of Public Healt
