The influence of age, gender, refractive error, and optic disc size on the optic disc configuration in Japanese normal eyes

PURPOSE: To investigate the influence of age, gender, refractive error, and optic disc size on optic disc configuration in Japanese normal eyes. METHODS: Ninety-two eyes from 92 visually normal Japanese subjects (mean refractive error+/-SD: -1.26+/-2.25 D, range -8 D to +3 D) were examined using a confocal scanning laser tomograph, TopSS. The following disc parameters were investigated: disc size, total or quadrant C/D area ratio and neuroretinal rim area, half-depth area, volume below, and average cup depth. RESULTS: The disc diameter ( mean+/-SD: 1.84+/-0.16 mm) and disc size showed highly significant correlations with the C/D ratio (p<0.001) and the neuroretinal rim area (p<0.001). No other correlation was observed. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the optic disc diameter and disc size have higher correlations with the optic disc configuration than age, gender, and refractive error in Japanese. These results are similar to those data reported for eyes of Caucasians or Afro Americans, and should be considered when optic discs are evaluated.