To assess the normative data of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in healthy children using the scanning laser polarimeter with variable corneal compensation (GDxVCC). METHODS: Of the 186 enrolled white school-aged children, 120 subjects of the mean 12.85 +/- 3.0 years (age +/- SD) fulfilled inclusion criteria. After complete ophthalmic examination, including GDxVCC, 240 normal eyes were analyzed. Evaluation of RNFL thickness in GDxVCC temporal-superior-nasal-inferior-temporal (TSNIT) parameters was performed, and probability of normality was calculated. The influence of sex and age was investigated. RESULTS: The mean +/- SD values in TSNIT Average, Superior Average, Inferior Average, and TSNIT SD were 58.98 +/- 6.92 microm, 72.99 +/- 8.97 microm, 71.18 +/- 10.92 microm, and 26.30 +/- 4.92 microm. The values of 5% probability of normality in the same order were 47.6 microm, 58.2 microm, 53.2 microm, and 18.2 microm. The mean values of Inferior Average and TSNIT SD were greater in left eyes by 1.84 +/- 6.6 microm (p = 0.003) and by 3.04 +/- 3.8 microm (p < 0.00005), respectively. No correlation to sex and age was found. CONCLUSIONS: RNFL thickness assessed using GDxVCC was greater in children compared with previous published data in healthy adults. The values of Inferior Average and TSNIT SD were significantly greater in left eyes.

Department of Ophthalmology for Children and Adults Charles University 2nd Medical School Prague Czech Republic