Measurement of the Tilt Angle of the Optic Disc Using Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography and Related Factors in Myopia.

PURPOSE

This study presents a novel, three-dimensional method for measuring the tilt angle of the tilted optic disc (TOD) using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and investigates the correlation between ocular-related parameters and TOD.

METHODS

We included the right eyes of 243 healthy young individuals, categorized by axial length. We measured the ovality index (OI) and dihedral angle (DA) using SD-OCT infrared ray fundus photographs and high-resolution cross-sectional images of the optic disc, respectively. The relationships between OI, DA, and ocular-related parameters were analyzed.

RESULTS

Eyes in the longer axial length group exhibited a lower OI and a higher DA, along with thinner nasal and inferonasal circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (cpRNFL) and thicker temporal and superotemporal cpRNFL. There was a significant relationship between DA and cpRNFL thickness. The new method utilizing DA to measure the tilt angle of TOD demonstrated high repeatability.

CONCLUSIONS

We propose a novel, three-dimensional, and quantitative method for evaluating the tilt degree of TOD. A higher degree of myopia indicated a greater tilt angle of the TOD, and a greater TOD suggested additional changes in cpRNFL thickness. These findings should be considered when interpreting increased susceptibility and early assessment of glaucoma in myopia.

TRANSLATIONAL RELEVANCE

DA could serve as a superior indicator for describing TOD morphology during eyeball elongation and evaluating its impact on related parameters of the optic disc and peripapillary structures in the myopic population.