Age‐related changes in and determinants of macular ganglion cell‐inner plexiform layer thickness in normal Chinese adults

Abstract

Mean mGCIPL thickness showed a small age-related linear decrease with two steep drops in the fifth and seventh decades. Thinner mGCIPL was independently associated with age, thinner pRNFL and higher IOP. These factors should be considered if using mGCIPL to detect progression of glaucoma and other optic neuropathies characterized by the loss of retinal ganglion cells.

Age-related Changes of Macular Ganglion Cell-inner Plexiform Layer Thickness in Korean Elderly Subjects

“…We did not demonstrate a significant correlation between the GCIPL thickness and other ocular parameters such as IOP, axial length, optic disc rim area, and body mass index among subjects. The average GCIPL thickness as measured using the Cirrus SD-OCT system in our study was 80.3 ± 5.6 µm, which is slightly lower than values previously reported after using the same SD-OCT system (80.8 μm [ 16 ] and 82.8 μm [ 14 ]). This discrepancy was due to the variation in the average age of subjects between these studies [ 14 , 16 , 17 ].…”

“…The average GCIPL thickness as measured using the Cirrus SD-OCT system in our study was 80.3 ± 5.6 µm, which is slightly lower than values previously reported after using the same SD-OCT system (80.8 μm [ 16 ] and 82.8 μm [ 14 ]). This discrepancy was due to the variation in the average age of subjects between these studies [ 14 , 16 , 17 ]. The mean age of subjects in our study was higher than those in previous investigations [ 14 , 16 , 17 ].…”

“…This discrepancy was due to the variation in the average age of subjects between these studies [ 14 , 16 , 17 ]. The mean age of subjects in our study was higher than those in previous investigations [ 14 , 16 , 17 ]. Interestingly, the larger the difference in the mean age was, the greater the difference noted in the GCIPL thickness was.…”

“…Specifically, a 0.29-µm decrease in the average GCIPL thickness per year in elderly Korean subjects was associated with age. Previous studies suggested that the linear reduction in the GCIPL thickness is in the range of 0.14 to 0.30 µm/yr [ 14 , 16 , 23 - 25 ]. Prior histological studies also found that the ganglion cell layer (GCL) and associated axons (RNFL) are vulnerable to loss during aging, consistent with the results of our study [ 26 ].…”

Determinants of Macular Ganglion Cell–Inner Plexiform Layer Thickness in Normal Chinese Adults

“…In normal eyes, age, sex, race, refractive power, axial length, optic disc size, and signal strength of OCT scanning are proven to be associated with GCC/GCIPL and/or pRNFL thickness; among these, the age is considered the most signi cant determinant by multiple studies. (16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24) However, some of the previous studies investigated multiple potential determinants with limited analysis deep into each determinant, and some emphasized on one or two determinants. Thus, an overall "big picture" is needed for better understanding which factors are impacting the OCT readings, how much the impacts are, and which should be taken into account in clinical interpretations despite normative database is used as a reference.…”