To evaluate the changes in macular thickness with regard to age and gender in normal subjects with emmetropia using spectral domain optical coherence tomography.

The present study consisted of 90 healthy subjects (162 eyes) with no ophthalmic evidence of retinopathy and who had emmetropic eyes. The data from macular measurements using spectral domain optical coherence tomography was analyzed according to the groups divided by age (Group 1: 0 to 19 years of age, Group 2: 20 to 39 years of age, Group 3: 40 to 59 years of age, Group 4: 60 to 80 years of age) and gender.

Macular thickness of the central circle was 253.40 ± 23.03 µm in all subjects. There was no significant change with age ( p > 0.05). However, the measurements at the inner (3 mm) and outer circle (6 mm) showed a reduction of macular thickness with age ( p < 0.05). The macular thickness at the central and inner circle was significantly lower in the female subjects ( p < 0.05). In group 3 and 4, macular thickness at the central circle in males was greater than in females. In group 3, the average inner macular thickness in males was significantly greater than in females ( p < 0.05).

In normal subjects with emmetropia, there are statistically significant differences in macular thickness between subjects of different age and gender. The results from the present study can be expected to provide a reference value for evaluating macular disease.