Correlation between Axial Length, Optic Disc-fovea Distance, Morphometric Optic Nerve Head Parameters, and Ganglion Cell Complex in Healthy Saudi Females

Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between axial length (AL) and disc-fovea distance (DFD) in healthy Saudi females. In addition, an assessment of the association between DFD, the macular ganglion cell complex ( GCC), and morphometric optic nerve head (ONH) parameters was performed. This association has never been investigated in Saudi Arabia. Subjects and Methods: The study included 88 eyes of 88 healthy Saudi females. DFD, morphometric ONH parameters, and GCC were evaluated using spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Results: DFD showed a weak negative correlation with AL. However, DFD presented a positive correlation with disc area, C/D Ratio, vertical disc diameter, and inferior peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness. In addition, this study found that an increase in AL resulted in a reduction of 2–2.3 μm in GCC thickness ( P < 0.001). However, Age and DFD did not show any significant association with GCC thickness. Conclusion: This study confirmed the association between DFD and the morphometric ONH parameters. DFD-adjusted normative databases should be developed to avoid misdiagnosing glaucomatous changes in myopic eyes. In addition, this study reported a negative association between AL and GCC thickness.