Relationship between retinal structures and retinal vessel caliber in normal adolescents.

PURPOSE: To describe the normal physiological relationship between retinal arteriolar and venular caliber and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), macular, and optic nerve head parameters. METHODS: The Sydney Childhood Eye Study assessed 2038 adolescents aged 12 years. Retinal vessel calibers were measured from digital fundus photographs using standardized protocols. Optical coherence tomography measurements of RNFL, macular, and optic nerve head parameters were obtained with the Fast-scan protocol of the Stratus OCT (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc., Dublin, CA). Mixed model analyses were performed. RESULTS: After adjustment for covariates, each micrometer increase in RNFL thickness was associated with a 0.22-microm (0.15%, P < 0.0001) and 0.49-microm (0.23%, P < 0.0001) increase in mean arteriolar and venular caliber, respectively. This positive association existed across all RNFL quadrants (0.07%-0.24%, P

Duke Scholars

Author Tien Yin Wong Ophthalmology