Evaluation of Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness Using Optical Coherence Tomography in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer (RNFL) is crucial for diagnosing and monitoring optic nerve disease and physiological thinning. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is an imaging technique that provides real-time scans. This procedure is used for measuring RNFL thickness and macular thickness in chorioretinal pathologies. This study aimed to determine RNFL thickness in healthy individuals across different age groups using OCT scans. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The medical records of 257 patients from the clinic specialized in glaucoma were reviewed between October 2022 and October 2023. The analyzed variables included age, gender, and RNFL thickness. The study included participants aged 18 to 84 years, with an average age of 48.11 years. Females comprised the majority (59.1%) of the subjects compared to males (40.9%). The results indicated a significant association between age and RNFL thickness in various eye regions. Specifically, the superior, inferior, and temporal areas decreased in thickness with advancing age, particularly after 40. The most pronounced age-related changes were observed in the superior and inferior regions. Furthermore, females displayed a thicker RNFL in their right eye than males. The temporal and nasal regions showed a negative correlation with age, indicating a gradual but still noteworthy reduction in thickness in these areas. This study aimed to establish a normative database contributing to the increase in quality of care in ophthalmology in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, providing valuable guidance in diagnosing, managing, and researching glaucoma, ultimately improving patient outcomes in the region.