Evaluation of lamina cribrosa in angioid streaks using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography enhanced depth imaging

To investigate retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, anterior lamina cribrosa depth (ALD) and laminar thickness (LT) in eyes with angioid streaks (AS) in comparison with healthy eyes. Patients with AS (n=32 eyes) and age-matched healthy subjects (n=42 eyes) underwent enhanced depth imaging with spectral domain optical coherence tomography of the optic nerve head. RNFL thickness was obtained automatically by using the Heidelberg software. The ALD was defined as the vertical distance between the Bruch's membrane openings as reference plane and the anterior border of the lamina cribrosa. The LT was measured as the distance between the anterior and posterior borders of the lamina cribrosa. RNFL thickness, ALD and LT were compared between the AS and healthy eyes adjusting for axial length. The mean age was 51.7±8.0 years for AS patients and 53.8±10.2 years for control subjects (P=0.34). The mean RNFL thickness was 88.6±17.6μm in AS eyes and 102.1±8.3μm in control eyes; the difference between the groups was significantly significant. ALD was 350.9±70.8μm in AS eyes and 432.5±82.1μm in control eyes, while LT was 166.3±41.0μm in AS eyes and 241.3±43.2μm in control eyes. ALD and LT were also significantly thinner in AS eyes than control eyes (P=0.003, P