Abstract
Purpose :
Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomographic (SDOCT) measurements of Bruch’s Membrane Opening-Minimum Rim Width (BMO-MRW) have demonstrated excellent ability to discriminate normal and glaucomatous eyes. However, normative data is only available for a European derived population. The purpose of this study was to determine if racial differences in BMO-MRW exist between individuals of African (AD) and European Descent (ED) in order to clarify if race-specific normative data is needed to optimize these methods across racial strata for use in glaucoma detection strategies
Methods :
BMO-MRW measurements were obtained with SDOCT imaging from participants without glaucoma in a CDC-funded telemedicine program following a comprehensive eye exam within a retail-based eye clinic. All SDOCT images were reviewed and BMO location was manually adjusted if needed. Data from 385 eyes from 193 subjects was analyzed using mixed effects models to determine the relationship between global and regional BMO-MRW with age and between ED and AD groups.
Results :
A significant age-related decline in global (-8.6 microns/decade, p-value = 0.017) and regional BMO-MRW was observed, which was similar across racial strata (Figure 1). The temporal superior (-14 microns/decade, p-value = 0.0009) and temporal inferior (-16.7 microns/decade, p-value < 0.0001) regions of the optic nerve showed the greatest changes with age. No significant racial differences in global BMO-MRW were seen. Regionally, only the temporal BMO-MRW was slightly thinner (-8.8 microns, p-value = 0.0086) in the AD group.
Conclusions :
Age-associated variations in BMO-MRW measurement are greatest in regions most prone to glaucomatous injury. No differences in BMO-MRW were observed between AD and ED groups globally or in regions prone to injury. Race-specific normative data may not be necessary for the deployment of BMO-MRW measurement in at-risk AD populations.
This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2016 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, Wash., May 1-5, 2016.