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

Abstract

Background: Age-related changes in ocular structures and function are of strong interest in knowing the impact of aging on visual health. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) has proven to be a valuable tool in assessing retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and macular ganglion cell complex (GCC), as indicators of retinal health. This study aimed to study age-associated change in peripapillary RNFL thickness and macular ganglion cell complex, in healthy participants, measured with the SD-OCT device. Methods: This prospective observational cross-sectional and analytical research-was performed on eighty patients; divided into 4 groups (twenty eyes in each group) with age range 20-29, 30-39, 40-49 and 50-59 years old. All cases underwent demographic and full ophthalmic investigation. Results: The results revealed considerable changes in and age terms, with females showing a significantly higher prevalence in the studied groups. Considerably higher ages were detected in Group IV than the other three groups, in Group III than in both Group II and I, and in Group II than Group I. Regarding retinal parameters, the study noticed significantly different in temporal RNFL thickness among Group I and IV (P-value < 0.05) also, between Group II and IV (P-value < 0.05). Conclusions: RNFL thickness of healthy subjects was associated with age, particularly in the temporal areas. There was no considerable change between the groups investigated as regard; superior macular RNFL, inferior macular RNFL, and total macular RNFL. Age-associated RNFLT in healthy participants-assessed using OCT-does not detect the same slope in every sector/quadrant.