The correlation between retina thickness and axial length as well as age, measured by optical coherence tomography

Purpose. It is unknown whether the thickness of the retina depends on axial length or an age. We therefore used optical coherence tomography (OCT) to study this relationship. Methods and materials. We recruited 159 subjects aged 13-92 years (205 eyes) without macular pathology. OCT measurements included three horizontal scans and one vertical scan through the fovea. Axial length was determined by an analog high-resolution biometric unit. Results. There was no correlation between retinal thickness and either axial length or age. Mean retinal thickness in the fovea was 142+/-18 mum. in the nasal retina thickness was significantly increased to 266+/-17 mum, compared to 249+/-18 mum in the temporal retina. Retinal thickness in subjects' two eyes was significantly correlated. Conclusions. Since retinal thickness does not depend upon age or length of the eye, no corrections are necessary when analyzing pathological retinal thickening, such as in diabetic retinal disease.