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

Abstract

Purpose We sought to establish normative ranges of the ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography in Korean elderly individuals and to identify factors that influence GCIPL thickness. Methods We conducted a retrospective, observational study of 114 healthy subjects (75 years old or older) who underwent comprehensive ophthalmic examinations at a single institution. GCIPL thickness was measured with the Cirrus spectral-domain optical coherence tomography system and automatic segmentation. Subjects were divided into two age groups: those younger than 80 years and those 80 years or older, respectively. A cross-sectional analysis was adopted to evaluate associations of GCIPL thickness with sex, age, intraocular pressure, optic disc rim area, axial length, spherical equivalent (SE) refractive errors, astigmatism, and body mass index. Results The average and minimum GCIPL thicknesses were 80.3 ± 5.6 µm and 76.3 ± 5.9 µm, respectively. The GCIPL thickness was significantly lower in the older group than in the younger group in the inferior, inferonasal, and inferotemporal segments (all p < 0.01). A thinner average GCIPL thickness was strongly associated with increasing age (β = -2.87, p = 0.021) and thinner circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (β = 2.87, p < 0.001) in all segments. Conclusions GCIPL thickness decreased with age globally and in all segments, even after 75 years of age. Thinner GCIPL was associated with older age and thinner circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer. Age-related changes should be considered when using GCIPL thickness to assess glaucoma and other optic neuropathies characterized by retinal ganglion cell loss.

Age-Related Changes; RNFL; Ganglion Cell Complex; OCT; Peripapillary RNFL Thickness

“…Regarding superior, inferior and total Macular RNFL in the current work, similarly, previous authors discovered that the macular thickness of all individuals was 313.0 12.3 m, with a range of 277.6 to 371.1 m. The overall macular thickness of the inferior outer segment was significantly different between the age groups (p = 0.005) [15] .…”

“…Age was shown to have a substantial influence on the average GCIPL thickness of each segment, in their research. Age was related with a 0.29-m decline in the GCIPL thickness each year in old Korean participants [15] . Previous research indicated that the linear decline in GCIPL thickness is from 0.14 to 0.30 m/year.…”

“…Global cpRNFL thickness was measured at 91.2 ± 8.4 µm, with a range of 66.9 to 116 µm. Significantly, the average thickness of the cpRNFL in the inferior segment showed notable changes between the two age groups (p = 0.01 and 0.005 after Bonferroni correction), with the older age group displaying thinner measurements [15] .…”

Impact of intravitreal ranibizumab, aflibercept and bevacizumab on retinal ganglion cell and nerve fibre layer thickness in Neovascular age‐related macular degeneration

“…The difficulty in studying the effect of intravitreal anti‐VEGF on RGCL and RNFL in nAMD patients is that there are many possible confounding factors. It is known that age leads to a decrease in RNFL and RGCL (Lee, Yoo, & Han, 2020; Zhang et al, 2016) thickness over time. nAMD manifestations such as retinal fluids and RPE‐atrophy are also possible confounding factors.…”

“…It is known that age leads to a decrease in RNFL (Bendschneider et al, 2010; Celebi & Mirza, 2013; Hammel et al, 2017; Hougaard et al, 2006; Parikh et al, 2007; Valverde‐Megías et al, 2019) and RGCL (Lee, Yoo, & Han, 2020; Zhang et al, 2016) thickness over time. With a follow‐up of 2 years, it is, therefore, possible that the observed reduction in RGCL is at least partly due to age progression and not to the anti‐VEGF medications themselves.…”