Age, Gender, Ethnicity and Refractive Error Related Differences in Normal Macular Thickness and Volume as Measured by STRATUS OCT

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: To determine age, gender, ethnicity and refractive error related differences in the macular thickness and volume in normal human eyes as measured by the STRATUS OCT. Methods: In a prospective cross sectional study at five centers in the U.S., normative data were collected for the STRATUS OCT on macular thickness and volume. All participants underwent a complete eye examination including an assessment of the visual acuity, IOP, anterior and posterior segment examination and Humphrey Visual field testing. Only participants with no evidence of ocular disease were included in this study. A Fast Macular Thickness protocol, consisting of 6 mm long radial line scans centered on the fovea, was performed with the STRATUS OCT on each participant to evaluate retinal macular thickness. The six intersecting line scans span each clock hour and were obtained in a single alignment and capture. One eye from each subject was randomly selected for analysis. Results: Two hundred and forty five normal subjects from five centers were included in the study. 24 were African–American, 77 were Hispanic and 124 were non–Hispanic white. The mean age (+ s.d.) of the participants was 47.9 (+16.1) years and 127 were females. The mean foveal thickness, center average thickness, total macular volume, and the center foveal volume for the sample were 171.5 µm, 6.8 mm³, 202.9 µm, and 0.16 mm³. Males had a greater center average macular thickness (M vs. F – 205 µm vs 196 µm) and center foveal volume (0.16 mm³ vs 0.15 mm³) compared to females (p<0.001). African–Americans (157.6 µm) had a smaller foveal thickness compared to Hispanics (179.2 µm) and Non–Hispanic whites (172.7 µm) (p< 0.0007). Total macular volume was less in older persons compared to younger persons (6.43 mm³ in those 70 years and older vs 6.90 mm³ in those less than 30 years old) (p<0.0001). Total macular volume was also smaller in myopes compared to emmetropes (emmetropes 6.81 mm³, myopes >–5D 6.42 mm³)(p<0.0001). Conclusions: Foveal and macular thickness and volume varies with age, gender, ethnicity, and refractive error as measured by the STRATUS OCT in normal subjects. These variables may need to be taken into account when evaluating patients with macular disease.

Keywords: imaging methods (CT, FA, ICG, MRI, OCT, RTA, SLO, ultrasound) • imaging/image analysis: clinical • retina