Abstract: Objective  To describe the 10-year incidence of localized retina nerve fiber layer defects (RNFLD) and risk factors in adult Chinese. Design Population-based cohort study. Participants The Beijing Eye Study, which included 4439 subjects (40 years and older) in 2001, was re-conducted in 2011 with 2695 subjects participating (66.4% of the survivors). Methods The study participants underwent a detailed ophthalmic and physical examination. Fundus photographs in 2001 and 2011 were flickered for comparision and evaluated for the new development of localized RNFLD. A localized RNFLD can be defined as a wedge-shaped, not a spindle-like defect, running toward or touching the optic disc border for not more than 60° of the circumference of the optic disc. Logistic regression analysis was used for determining risk factors. Main Outcome Measures 10-year incidence of localized RNFLDs and the risk factors. Results The incident localized RNFLDs were detected in 78 subjects and 90 eyes, the incidence was 3.3%±0.2% (by person).  In Logistic analysis, the incidence of localized RNFLDs were significantly associated with the diabetic retinopathy (P=0.005; OR=5.41; 95% CI: 1.68, 17.41), cerebral infarction or hemorrhages (P=0.035; OR=2.55; 95% CI: 1.07, 6.11), and not significantly associated with rural region (P=0.078), intraocular pressure (P=0.126), systolic blood pressure (P=0.827), body mass index (BMI) (P=0.803), Hb1c (P=0.559), hypertension history (P=0.776) and diabetes history (P=0.600). Conclusions The 10-year incidence of localized RNFLD in adult Chinese is 3.3%±0.2%. It is mainly associated with the diabetic retinopathy and cerebral infarction or hemorrhages. (Ophthalmol CHN, 2014, 23: 9-12)

Key words: retinal nerve fiber layer defect, incidence, epidemiology