Analysis of Neuroretinal Rim by Age, Race, and Gender Using High-Density Three-Dimensional Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography

Neuroretinal rim minimum distance band thickness is significantly lower in older subjects and African Americans compared to Caucasians. It is similar in both genders. Purpose: To evaluate the relationship between age, race, and gender with the neuroretinal rim using high-density spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) optic nerve volume scans of normal eyes. Methods: 256 normal subjects underwent Spectralis (Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany) SD-OCT optic nerve head volume scans. One eye was randomly selected and analyzed for each subject. Using custom-designed software, the neuroretinal rim minimum distance band (MDB) thickness was calculated from volume scans, and global and quadrant neuroretinal rim thickness values were determined. The MDB is a three-dimensional neuroretinal rim band comprised of the shortest distance between the internal limiting membrane (ILM) and the termination of the retinal pigment epithelium/Bruch's membrane (RPE/BM) complex. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to determine the associations of age, race, and gender with neuroretinal rim MDB measurements. Results: The population was 57% female and 69% Caucasian with a mean age of 58.4±15.3 years. Mean MDB thickness in the normal population was 278.4±47.5μm. For this normal population, MDB thickness decreased by 0.84μm annually (P<0.001). African Americans had thinner MDBs compared to Caucasians (P=0.003). Males and females had similar MDB thickness values (P=0.349). Conclusions: Neuroretinal rim MDB thickness measurements decreased significantly with age. African Americans had thinner MDB neuroretinal rims than Caucasians.