4137 Implication of intraocular pressure regulation on optic nerve head damage in open angle glaucoma

AGE AND GENDER DIF’FRRRNCIZS IN OPTIC DISC ARR.4, CUF’ AREAANDVERTlCALCW-TO-DI:SCRATIO?THEROlTERDAM STUDY. RAMRAlTAN RSJZ, GA DE WRUYNE’s, M. VAN RJZESv, HOFMAN A.‘, and DE JONG P.T.Q.M.’ Departments of ‘Ophthalmology and aBpidemiology & Biostatistics. Erasmus University Medical School, P.O. Box 1738, 3000 DR Rotterdam, The Netherlands. m To investigate cross-sectionally the association of age and gender with optic disc area, cup area (adjusted for optic disc area) and vertical cup-to-disc ratio. Methods: In the Rotterdam Study, a cohort study in a Caucasian population of 55 years and older, simultaneous stereo photographs (using the Topcon TRC-SSZO) were made of both optic discs of all 6782 ophthalmologically examined participants. Semi-automated measurements of optic disc parameters using the Topcon Imagenet System were performed on one at random selected eye of each of 1165 at random selected participants. Stratification in a younger (aged 55-74 yrs) and older (aged 75 yrs and over) age group was applied in the statistical analysis. &&& The disc area for younger men was 2.38+0.026 mm’ (SD 0.4366). for younger women 2.28~0.02 mm* (SD 0.43), for older men 2.38t0.05 mm* (SD 0.48) and oldler women 2.41 kO.04 mm* (SD 0.52). In women there was a significant association between age and disc area (P<O.o005), but not in men. A gender difference in disc area existed only in the young age group. No significant age and gender differences were found for the cup area and vertical cup-todisc ratio. Conclusion: High age is associated with a large disc area in women, but not in men, which can not be esplained yet. No age and gender differences were observed for the cup area and vertical cup-to-disc ratio.