AIM: To build the reference values of normal eye retinal nerve fiber layer(RNFL)thickness on middle aged people between 40～69 years old, and infer the baseline data for early diagnosis of glaucoma.

METHODS:A total of 180 eyes from 90 healthy subjects(age ranged from 40～69 years old)were recruited for this study. Topcon 3D optical coherence tomography(OCT)-2000(Ver 8.0)was used to measure RNFL thickness. Each subject was performed circular scans around the optic nerve with a circle size of 3.4mm. Clock-hour, quadrant and total average RNFL thicknesses were recorded. The data was analyzed with SPSS statistical. The relationship between age, gender and laterality was analyzed, and the reference value for normal eye RNFL thickness parameters was obtained,

RESULTS:Normal RNFL thickness distribution was bimodal curve type in 40～69 year-old middle aged or elderly people. RNFL thickness was decreased for temporal quadrant, followed by nasal, superior, inferior. RNFL thickness at 10 o'clock, 5 o'clock, 6 o'clock, superior got thinner with age prolong. Except 10 o'clock(P<0.05), there were no significant differences in age(P>0.05). The RNFL thickness at 11 o'clock was associated with different gender. the RNFL thickness at 11 o'clock, 12 o'clock, 1 o'clock, 4 o'clock, superior, nasal was associated with different eyes, the differences was statistically significant between different eyes(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: Topcon 3D OCT-2000 is effectively used to measure the RNFL thickness of 40～69 years people and provide diagnostic basis for early diagnosis of glaucoma.