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Profile of retinal nerve fibre layer symmetry in a multiethnic Asian population: the Singapore Epidemiology of Eye Diseases study.

Authors :
Yijin Tao
Yih Chung Tham
Miao Li Chee
Majithia, Shivani
Thakur, Sahil
Zhi-Da Soh
Yim-Lui Cheung, Carol
Sabanayagam, Charumathi
Tien Yin Wong
Ching-Yu Cheng
Source :
British Journal of Ophthalmology; Jun2020, Vol. 104 Issue 6, p836-841, 6p, 1 Diagram, 3 Charts, 2 Graphs
Publication Year :
2020

Abstract

Background To examine the normative profile and determinants of retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) symmetry in a non-glaucoma, multiethnic Asian population.///Methods Chinese, Malay and Indian adults aged ≥ 40 years were recruited from the Singapore Epidemiology of Eye Diseases study. Participants underwent standardised systemic and ocular examinations. RNFL thickness was obtained using a spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (Cirrus HD-OCT). RNFL symmetry (in %) was calculated based on Pearson correlation coefficient between the RNFL thickness profiles of the right and left eyes. Multivariable linear regression analysis was used to investigate the associations between ocular and systemic factors with RNFL symmetry.///Results 4211 participants (1227 Chinese, 1245 Malays, 1739 Indians) were included. The mean RNFL symmetry was 86.7%±8.5% in Chinese, 84.7%±10.2% in Malays and 84.0%±10.7% in Indians. The fifth percentile limit of RNFL symmetry was 71.2% in Chinese, 65.0% in Malays and 62.0% in Indians. In multivariable analysis adjusting for age, gender, ethnicity, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidaemia, intereye absolute differences in intraocular pressure (IOP), axial length and disc area, Malays (β=-0.9; p=0.03) and Indians (β=-1.76; p<0.001) were found to have lower RNFL symmetry compared with Chinese. Older age, greater intereye differences in IOP, axial length and disc area were significantly associated with lower RNFL symmetry (all p≤0.003).///Conclusions In non-glaucoma individuals, intereye RNFL profile is less symmetric in Malays and Indians than that in Chinese. This also suggests that current commercial optical coherence tomography's deployment of a single, universal RNFL symmetry cut-off for glaucoma detection is flawed, and ethnic-specific cut-off is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
00071161
Volume :
104
Issue :
6
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
British Journal of Ophthalmology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
143468183
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1136/bjophthalmol-2019-314894