AIM:To evaluation the retinal nerve fiber layer(RNFL)thickness in children from 4～10 years associated with myopia.

METHODS:Forty Chinese children between 4 and 10 years of age in our hospital from January 2012 to May 2014 were selected as test subjects. Patients whose manifest refraction measurement values ranged 0D≤diopter<-3.00D were classified as low myopia group(14 cases), those -3.00D≤diopter<-6.00D were classified as moderate myopia group(14 cases), and those ≥-6.00D were classified as high myopia group(12 cases). RNFL thickness was measured by time-domain optical coherence tomography(OCT: Stratus OCT; Carl Zeiss Meditec)for every subject.

RESULTS:The average RNFL thicknesses were 102.36±10.33μm in high myopia group, 112.66±9.79μm in low myopia group and 106.52±9.46μm in moderate myopia group. A statistically significant difference was found between high myopia and low myopia groups(P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference found neither between high myopia and mild myopia groups, nor between moderate myopia and low myopia groups(P>0.05). In addition, RNFL thickness was decrease especially in the inferior quadrant in children with high myopia and moderate myopia compared with low myopia groups(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION:The average RNFL thickness is significantly thinner in high myopic children relative to low myopic children. And, the average RNFL thickness of inferior quadrant is significantly thinner in high myopic and moderate myopia children relative to low myopic children. Therefore, when interpreting OCT results of RNFL thickness in the clinic, more attention should be given to changes associated with myopia.