Optic Disc Morphology in Myopic Children

Abstract

Purpose: : To evaluate optic nerve head topography and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in children with a high prevalence of myopia.

Methods: : 103 children (aged 11 and 12 years old), consisting of 51 girls and 52 boys were selected randomly from one of the three schools in the Singapore Cohort study of Risk Factors for Myopia (SCORM). Optic nerve head topography and RNFL thickness were assessed using the HRT–II scanning laser ophthalmoscope with refractive errors corrected.

Results: : There were 39 children without myopia (Spherical equivalent {SE} at least –0.5D), 42 with low myopia (–0.5D>=SE>–3.0D) and 22 children with moderate myopia (SE<=–3.0D). Mean cup and disc areas were 0.42 mm2 (SD: 0.26) and 1.53 mm2 (SD: 0.33) respectively, and mean cup/disc area ratio was 0.26 (SD: 0.13). The mean and maximum cup depths were 0.23 mm (SD: 0.08) and 0.63 mm (SD: 0.17) respectively, whereas the mean RNFL thickness was 0.28 mm (SD: 0.07). Increasing myopia was associated with a smaller measured cup (area and volume) (p<0.01), a larger rim (area and volume) (p<0.01) and a thicker RNFL (p<0.01). Cup depth was not associated with refraction. No topographic parameters were associated with axial length.

Conclusions: : Our data suggests that increasing myopia is associated with altered optic nerve head morphology and RNFL thickness even in young children.

Keywords: myopia • imaging/image analysis: clinical • optic disc