We evaluated the thickness of RNFL and optic nerve head parameters with age in normal eyes using Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT).

A total of 128 normal Korean volunteers in different age groups were recruited (age range, 20-70 years).

A significant negative correlation in average RNFL thickness with increasing age was found. The inferior areas (130.31 ± 3.33 µm) were significantly thicker than other areas (superior area 119.05 ± 2.12 µm, nasal area 71.80 ± 0.57 µm, temporal area 77.72 ± 0.16 µm). The average C/D ratios (mean 0.38 ± 0.14) and vertical C/D ratios (mean 0.35 ± 0.11) both showed significant increases with age, and the vertical C/D ratio correlation coefficient was higher (average C/D ratio r = 0.249, vertical C/D ratio r = 0.537). However, rim area, disc area, and cup volume were not correlated with age.

From these findings, we conclude that, in normal Koreans, the mean RNFL thickness decreases and the C/D ratio increases with age, with the increase in the vertical C/D ratio being greater.