The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between retinal nerve fiber layer thickness measured by optical coherence tomography and the axial length/refractive error in myopic eyes. Medical records of 30 healthy male subjects and 50 male patients with miyopia (spherical equivalent between -1.0 D and -8.75 D) were analyzed retrospectively in the study. Spherical equivalent, axial length, mean and four quadrant retinal nerve fiber layer thickness measurements of one eye were recorded in all patients. Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness measurements were compared between the two groups. Relationship between axial length/spherical equivalent and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness was analyzed. The mean axial length in the control and myopic groups was 23.36±0.65 mm and 25.58±1.50 mm, respectively (t=7.59, p<0.0001). The mean retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in the control and myopic groups was 108.13±9.50 μm and 100.88±9.05 μm, respectively (t=3.40, p=0.001). A negative correlation was detected between axial length/spherical equivalent and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in myopic patients, respectively (r=-0.377, p=0.001, r=-0.452, p<0.001). Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness is affected from the axial length and refractive error. Retinal nerve fiber layer should be interpreted cautiously considering axial length and refractive error.
Keywords: Miyopia, optical coherence tomography, retinal nerve fiber layer thickness
