Title : Interocular asymmetry of optical coherence tomography parameters and retinal vessel density in healthy children
Abstract:
Purpose: Evaluating interocular asymmetry in optical coherence tomography (OCT) parameters is essential for diagnosing, preventing, and managing ocular pathologies. This research aimed to investigate the disparities in macular and optic disc parameters between the right and left eyes of healthy children.
Methods: In 150 eyes of 75 subjects recruited from the People’s Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, we analyzed the associated OCT parameters by OCT angiography (OCTA). And the interocular variations among OCT parameters along with sex, age, axial length (AL), spherical equivalence (SE), axial length-to-corneal radius ratio (AL/CR), refractive status and the influencing factors of these OCT parameters were ascertained.
Results: The average ages were 8.907 ± 2.081 years. There were higher central, inferior, superior, temporal macular retinal thickness, lower macular vessel density and lower macular perfusion density in all quadrants, lower superior retinal nerve fiber thickness, lower optic vessel density and optic perfusion density at the nasal, temporal area in right eyes than those in left eyes. The macular foveal avascular zone and disc area size in right-left eyes were not significant different. Age was not correlated with OCT parameter, but the SE and CL were significantly linked with macular vessel density, macular perfusion density, retinal nerve fiber thickness, optic vessel density and optic perfusion density in some certain quadrants.
Conclusion: The findings offer a theoretical foundation for exploring the structure and function of the visual system, as well as its clinical applications, where the identification of symmetry or asymmetry could be crucial.
