Parapapillary gamma zone associated with increased peripapillary scleral bowing: the Beijing Eye Study 2011

AimsTo investigate the association between the backward configuration of the peripapillary sclera (PPS), measured as PPS angle (PPSA), and presence and extent of parapapillary gamma zone.MethodsOut of the population-based Beijing Eye Study 2011, we randomly selected individuals free of optic nerve and retinal diseases. With Spectralis optical coherence tomography, we measured gamma zone (zone free of Bruch’s membrane (BM)) and determined the PPSA, defined as the angle between the anterior scleral surface lines from both sides of the optic nerve head (ONH).ResultsThe study included 678 individuals with age of 59.5±7.6 years (range: 50–90) and axial length of 23.5±1.3 mm (20.9–29.2). Gamma zone was more prevalent in eyes with larger PPSA (p=0.006) after adjustment for axial length (p