Optic disc size in a population-based study in central India: the Central India Eye and Medical Study (CIEMS)

Abstract

Purpose: To determine optic disc size and its associations in an adult population in central India.

Methods: The Central India Eye and Medical Study (CIEMS), Part 1 is a population-based, cross-sectional cohort study and included 1000 subjects out of 1314 (76.1%) subjects from a rural area of Maharasthra/India, aged 30+ years, invited to participate. Confocal laser scanning tomographic optic disc images were morphometrically examined.

Results: Mean optic disc area (2.25 +/- 0.51 mm2, range 1.12-4.61 mm2) was significantly correlated with myopic refractive error (p < 0.001) and axial length (p < 0.001), whereas gender (p = 0.14), body height (p = 0.44) and best corrected visual acuity (p = 0.59) were not significantly associated in multiple regression analysis.

Conclusions: Mean optic disc area is larger in the central Indian population than in White people. Axial length and myopic refractive error are independent factors that influence optic disc size.