Macular Thickness Measurement via Heidelberg Spectralis SD-OCT in Pediatric Patients

Aims: To determine the normative values of the macular thickness measurements via spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in healthy pediatrics.

Study Design: Prospective study.

Place and Duration of Study: Beyoglu Eye Training and Research Hospital. Department of Retina, between November 2013 and May 2014.

Methodology: Sixty eyes of 30 healthy pediatric patients (20 females, 10 males) were included in this prospective study. Macular thickness measurements were performed via Spectralis SD-OCT. The average retinal thicknesses of the nine macular sectors as defined by the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study and central macular volume were recorded.

Results: The mean age was 10.8±3.1 years (range 6-15). The mean central macular thickness was 261±27μm (range 223-434). The mean central volume was 8.66±0.32mm3 (range 8.01-9.54). The mean thickness was 342±13μm for superior inner, 327±15μm for temporal inner, 341±22μm for inferior inner, 339±20μm for nasal inner, 300±11μm for superior outer, 286±15μm for temporal outer, 291±11μm inferior outer, 315±23μm for nasal outer segment.

Conclusion: The means and normative reference ranges are provided for Spectralis OCT in healthy pediatrics, between 6-15 years old, and this values can be used as a standard to compare those of children suspected of having retinal or optic nerve abnormalities.