Retinal Nerve Fiber layer (RNFL) Thickness Measurement with Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) in Normal Children

Background and Objectives: To assess retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in normal children using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. Methods: This cross-sectional study of 120 healthy participants collected data over six months (September 2022 to March 2023) in Shahid Aso Eye Hospital in the Sulaimany province. Parents provided demographic information (age, sex, residency), and general and ocular history was recorded. The Snellen E chart was used to record patient's visual acuity and spherical equivalent was calculated. Cycloplegic refraction, dilated fundus examination, and non-contact air puff tonometry were performed. Results: Optical coherence tomography data was obtained from 120 participants (61.7% females, 38.3% males), mean age 12.2 ± 2.8, mean spherical equivalent of right eye -0.47 ± 1.3, mean spherical equivalent of left eye -0.39 ± 1.25. The mean retinal nerve fiber layer thickness was 101.12 ± 10 for the right eye and 100.2 ± 10.1 for the left eye, respectively. Age did not affect retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in either gender. Gender had statistically significant effect on retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in right eye's superior quadrant (P=0.02) and nasal quadrant (P=0.04). Right eye spherical equivalent had statistically significant impact on retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in right eye’s inferior and temporal quadrants (P=0.03). Conclusion: This study's data can help create a standard pediatric database. Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in children was mainly affected by gender and spherical equivalent, with no significant impact from age.