AIM:To evaluate the clinical characteristics in retinal nerve fiber layer(RNFL)thickness of the 8～17 years old near sightedness, provide the basis for juvenile glaucoma diagnosis, to avoid missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis.

METHODS: A total of 165 eyes from 99 healthy subjects(age range 8～17 years)were divided into low, moderate, high myopia and normal group. Cirrus HD OCT was used to measure the RNFL thickness. Each subject was performed circular scans around the optic nerve with a circle size of 3.46mm. Total average, mean quadrant and clock-hour RNFL thicknesses were recorded and compared between the four groups. The characteristics of the RNFL thickness of myopia were observed.

RESULTS: Compared myopia groups with normal group, the mean RNFL thickness decreased, there was statistically significant difference in high myopia group(P<0.05). The mean RNFL thickness of superior, inferior and nasal quadrant decreased, temporal quadrant was thickened. Compared moderate and high myopia groups with normal group, superior, inferior quadrant RNFL thickness were thinning, temporal quadrant was thickening, the differences had statistical significance(P<0.05). The RNFL measurements were statistically significant thinner in the myopia groups compared with normal group at 1:00, 5:00, 6:00 and 12:00 o'clock(P<0.05)and thicker at 8:00, 9:00, 10:00 o'clock(P<0.05). The RNFL measurement was statistically significant thicker in the low myopia group compared with normal group at 3:00 o'clock(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: Compared adolescent myopia with normal, the Avg(mean RNFL thickness), S(superior quadrant RNFL thickness), I(inferior quadrant RNFL thickness), 1:00, 5:00, 6:00 and 12:00 o'clock RNFL thickness is thinner, which is decreased with the increasing SE. While the temporal(T)quadrant, 8:00, 9:00, 10:00 o'clock RNFL thickness is thicker, which increased with the increasing SE. Analysis of RNFL thickness in the evaluation of glaucoma should always be interpreted with reference to the refractive status, so as not to cause misdiagnosis of glaucoma. The highest diagnosis efficiency position of glaucoma is infratemporal(7:00～8:00 o'clock)and superior temporal(10:00～11:00 o'clock), which is not thinner in juvenile myopia, if these positions become thinner, it may be the possibility of glaucoma.