Original Article
Retinal nerve fibre layer thickness in a general population in Iran
Hassan Hashemi MD,
Mehdi Khabazkhoob PhD,
Payam Nabovati MSc,
Abbasali Yekta PhD,
Mohammad Hassan Emamian MD PhD,
Akbar Fotouhi MD PhD,
Hassan Hashemi MD
Noor Research Center for Ophthalmic Epidemiology, Noor Eye Hospital, Tehran, Iran
Search for more papers by this authorMehdi Khabazkhoob PhD
Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Noor Ophthalmology Research Center, Noor Eye Hospital, Tehran, Iran
Search for more papers by this authorPayam Nabovati MSc
Noor Ophthalmology Research Center, Noor Eye Hospital, Tehran, Iran
Search for more papers by this authorAbbasali Yekta PhD
Department of Optometry, School of Paramedical Sciences, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Search for more papers by this authorMohammad Hassan Emamian MD PhD
Center for Health Related Social and Behavioral Sciences Research, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Akbar Fotouhi MD PhD
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Correspondence: Akbar Fotouhi, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Keshavarz Boulevard, Tehran, Iran. PO Box: 14155-6446. E-mail [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorHassan Hashemi MD,
Mehdi Khabazkhoob PhD,
Payam Nabovati MSc,
Abbasali Yekta PhD,
Mohammad Hassan Emamian MD PhD,
Akbar Fotouhi MD PhD,
Hassan Hashemi MD
Noor Research Center for Ophthalmic Epidemiology, Noor Eye Hospital, Tehran, Iran
Search for more papers by this authorMehdi Khabazkhoob PhD
Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Noor Ophthalmology Research Center, Noor Eye Hospital, Tehran, Iran
Search for more papers by this authorPayam Nabovati MSc
Noor Ophthalmology Research Center, Noor Eye Hospital, Tehran, Iran
Search for more papers by this authorAbbasali Yekta PhD
Department of Optometry, School of Paramedical Sciences, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Search for more papers by this authorMohammad Hassan Emamian MD PhD
Center for Health Related Social and Behavioral Sciences Research, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Akbar Fotouhi MD PhD
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Correspondence: Akbar Fotouhi, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Keshavarz Boulevard, Tehran, Iran. PO Box: 14155-6446. E-mail [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorCompeting/conflicts of interest: None.
Funding sources: This project is funded by the Noor Ophthalmology Research Center and Shahroud University of Medical Sciences.
Abstract
Background
To determine retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness distribution and its related factors in a general population of 45 to 69 year olds in Iran.
Design
Population-based cross-sectional study.
Participants
Of the 5190 participants of phase one of Shahroud Eye Cohort Study, 4737 participated in Phase two (participation rate = 91.3%).
Methods
All study participants underwent visual acuity measurement, refraction tests, slit lamp examination and ophthalmoscopic fundus exam. Tests also included imaging with Cirrus HD-OCT 4000 and its RNFL thickness data were used in this study.
Main Outcome Measures
The overall RNFL thickness and the average RNFL thickness in different quadrants.
Results
Mean RNFL thickness in the superior, inferior, nasal and temporal quadrants were 92.47 µm [95% confidence interval (CI): 92.14–92.80], 111.22 µm (95% CI: 110.7–111.73), 118.93 µm (95% CI: 118.31–119.55), 74.83 µm (95% CI: 74.07–75.59) and 65.48 µm (95% CI: 65.06–65.90). Multiple linear regression models indicated that RNFL thickness in all quadrants decreased with ageing, was lower in females (coefficient:–0.87 and P = 0.015), decreased by 1.42 µm (P < 0.001) for each millimetre increase in axial length and decreased by 0.41 µm (P = 0.041) for each diopter decrease in spherical equivalent refraction of myopia.
Conclusion
RNFL thickness in the 45 to 69-year-old Iranian population is lower compared to other studies. This difference should be noted in making disease diagnoses, particularly glaucoma. Also, there is a significant relationship between ageing and RNFL thinning in all quadrants. Longer axial length, myopia and male gender are associated with reduced RNFL thickness.
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