Relationship of retinal vascular tortuosity with the neuroretinal rim: the singapore malay eye study

Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2010 Jul;51(7):3736-41. doi: 10.1167/iovs.09-5008. Epub 2010 Mar 5.

Abstract

PURPOSE. To describe the association of retinal vascular tortuosity, measured quantitatively, with the neuroretinal rim. METHODS. A population-based, cross-sectional study was conducted in Malay persons aged 40 to 80 years residing in Singapore. Retinal vascular tortuosity was quantified by using a semiautomated, computer-assisted program assessing retinal fundus photographs, according to a standardized protocol. Optic disc measurements including disc area, rim area, and rim-to-disc area (RDA) ratio were obtained with a confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope. RESULTS. In analyses adjusting for age, sex, spherical equivalent, and retinal vascular caliber, reduced arteriolar and venular tortuosity were associated with a decrease in global RDA ratio (P = 0.006 and P = 0.001, respectively). When compared with the arterioles, retinal venular tortuosity demonstrated a stronger association with RDA ratio. The temporal-inferior region of the neuroretinal rim was most strongly associated with retinal vascular tortuosity. CONCLUSIONS. Straighter retinal vessels were significantly associated with a thinning neuroretinal rim. These findings may provide additional insights into the geometric retinal vascular changes seen in early glaucomatous optic neuropathy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Asian People*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Glaucoma / diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nerve Fibers / pathology
  • Ophthalmoscopy
  • Optic Disk / pathology*
  • Optic Nerve Diseases / diagnosis
  • Photography
  • Retinal Vessels / pathology*
  • Singapore / epidemiology