Quadrant-specific anatomical architecture of the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer: a spectral-domain optical coherence tomography study
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, cilt.48, sa.1, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 48 Sayı: 1
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s00276-026-04010-w
- Dergi Adı: Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Natural Science Collection (ProQuest), Biological Science Database (ProQuest), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest), Pharma Collection (ProQuest)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Retinal nerve fiber layer, Optical coherence tomography, Optic nerve head, ISNT rule, Anatomy
- Atatürk Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Purpose: To evaluate the quadrant-specific anatomical organization of the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and identify the independent determinants of global RNFL thickness in healthy adults using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 188 healthy adults (18–76 years). Medical records containing SD-OCT-derived peripapillary RNFL and optic nerve head measurements were reviewed retrospectively. Only right eyes were analyzed to avoid inter-eye correlation. Quadrant-specific RNFL differences were evaluated using the Friedman test with Bonferroni-adjusted pairwise comparisons. Associations with age, spherical equivalent, and neuroretinal rim area were examined using Spearman’s correlation, followed by multiple linear regression analysis. Results: Mean global RNFL thickness was 107.86 ± 8.97 μm. RNFL thickness followed the ISNT pattern (inferior > superior > nasal > temporal). Quadrant differences were significant (χ2 = 476.315, p < 0.001; Kendall’s W = 0.845). Global RNFL thickness correlated negatively with age (ρ = − 0.158, p = 0.031) and positively with neuroretinal rim area (ρ = 0.288, p < 0.001). Myopic participants had thinner RNFL than emmetropic participants (adjusted p = 0.013). Age, spherical equivalent, and neuroretinal rim area were independent predictors of RNFL thickness, whereas sex was not (p = 0.133). Conclusion: In healthy adults, peripapillary RNFL thickness exhibits a highly organized anatomical architecture characterized by the ISNT pattern, consistent with the topographic organization of retinal ganglion cell axons around the optic nerve head. OCT-derived RNFL measurements should therefore be interpreted in the context of age, refractive status, and neuroretinal rim area.