Relationship between age and the thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer in normal subjects

Purpose: To determine if there are any age-dependent changes in the thickne ss of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) in the peripapillary area. Methods: Sixty normal volunteers (31 men, 29 women) (120 eyes) whose ages r anged from 23-75 years (mean 48.4 years) participated in this study. The th ickness of the RNFL was determined using a scanning laser polarimeter along the peripapillary area with a 1.75 disc diameter and along another ring 0. 8 mm away from the disc margin. Results: The thickness of the RNFL was not significantly correlated with ag e in either of the two ring areas. However, the RNFL thickness ratio of tot al/nasal area decreased significantly with increase in age in both rings. T here was an increase in the difference of RNFL thickness between the right and left eyes of the same individual with aging, in both rings. Conclusions: It was suggested that the RNFL thickness determined along both rings demonstrated almost identically the relationship between age and RNF L thickness in normal subjects. Jpn J Ophthalmol 1999;43:180-185 (C) 1999 J apanese Ophthalmological Society.