Thickness of retinal pigment epithelium–Bruch’s membrane complex in adult Chinese using optical coherence tomography

Abstract

Purpose: To study thickness of RPE–BM complex in adult Chinese subjects and its correlation with systemic and ocular biometric parameters. Design: Population-based longitudinal study. Cross-sectional study. Participants: The population-based Beijing Eye Study 2011 included 3468 individuals with a mean age of 64.6 ± 9.8 years (range: 50–93 years). Methods: A detailed ophthalmic examination was performed including spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD OCT) for measurement of the thickness of RPE–BM complex. Use Heidelberg software “Heidelberg Eye Explorer” for segmentation and measurements. Main outcome measure: Thickness of RPE–BM complex. Results: In total, 3276 people (6530 eyes) were included in the study. In total, 1844 (56.3%) subjects were female. The mean age was 64.3 ± 9.6 years (range: 50–93 years). The mean refractive error (spherical equivalent) was −0.18 ± 2.04 diopters (range: −22.0 to +7.50 diopters). Mean thickness of the RPE–BM complex at the foveal center was 25.09 ± 3.98 μm (range: 17–37 μm). In multiple regression analysis, subfoveal thickness of the RPE–BM complex was associated with age (p = 0.039; beta: 0.22; B: 0.10 (95% CI: 0.01, 0.20)) and hypertension history (p = 0.038; beta: 0.23; B: 1.96 (95% CI: 0.12, 3.81)). Conclusion: Mean subfoveal thickness of the RPE–BM complex was 25.09 ± 3.98 μm in elderly subjects with a mean age of 64.3 years increased with age and hypertension history. The increase in the thickness of RPE–BM complex may play a role in the pathophysiologic features of various age-related ocular conditions.