Age-related topographical changes in the normal human optic nerve head measured by scanning laser tomography

Purpose. This study was designed to investigate the effects of advanced agi ng on the optic nerve head (ONH) structure and retinal nerve fiber layer (R NFL) thickness in the eldest segment of our population. Methods. Twenty-sev en healthy elderly subjects between 75 and 88 years of age (average, 80.1 /- 0.83 years) and 30 healthy younger subjects between 20 and 32 years of a ge (average, 23.1 +/- 0.50 years) were recruited for a cross-sectional comp arison between ONH morphology and RNFL thickness as measured by scanning la ser tomography. The ONH disc, cup, and rim areas; cup-to-disc ratio; and th e mean thickness of the RNFL were quantified. Results. The cup and disc are as as well as the cup-to-disc area ratio increased with age, whereas the RN FL thickness decreased during the course of normal senescence. Conclusions. Any diagnoses of ocular pathology in the elderly must differentiate the ef fects of normal aging on the ONH topography and RNFL thickness. To that eff ect, the present study provides a clinical profile of ocular structures tha t extend into the oldest geriatric age group.