Five-Year Changes in Macular Thickness in the Elderly Population: A Cohort Study Publisher Pubmed

Summary: Does aging affect vision? Study finds slight macular thickness decrease over 5 years, linked to age & sex. #MacularThickness #EyeHealth

Hashemi H¹ ; Khabazkhoob M² ; Heydarian S³ ; Emamian MH⁴ ; Fotouhi A⁵
Source: Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology Published:2024

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study is to determine the 5-year changes in macular thickness and related factors. Methods: Data were from the second (2014) and third (2019) phases of the Shahroud Eye Cohort Study. Examinations included measurement of uncorrected and best-corrected visual acuity, non-cycloplegic autorefraction, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, and funduscopy. Participants underwent Cirrus HD-OCT 4000 (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA). imaging. Results: The 5-year changes (95% confidence interval) of central and overall macular thicknesses were − 3.48 ± 8.16 μ (−3.92, −3.03) and − 0.79 ± 4.06 μ (−1.03, −0.54), respectively. The median and IQR of 5-year changes in the central subfield thickness were −3 and 10, although they were 0 and 5 in the overall macular thickness, respectively. Multiple regression model showed the central macular thickness (CMT) decreased with a U-shape pattern with increasing age. The 5-year changes in CMT were significantly lower in females compared to males β = −1.55; (−2.78, −0.32) and in smokers compared to non-smokers β = −1.92; (−3.55, −0.28). Moreover, higher body mass index β = −0.12; (−0.22, −0.02) and CMT at baseline β = −0.08; (−0.10, −0.06) were significantly associated with lower CMT changes. The average 5-year changes in overall macular thickness showed a non-linear decrease with age and was significantly higher in females β = 0.93; (0.4, 1.43). These changes were directly related to the anterior chamber depth β = 0.87; (0.10, 1.64) in the baseline. Conclusions: The macular thickness decreased slightly after 5 years; however, this change is not clinically significant. Demographic factors such as age and sex and refractive errors were significantly related to macular thickness changes. © 2024 Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists.