Fundus characteristics in teenagers with high myopia

Abstract

Objective To assess the fundus characteristics and their associations with refractive error, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of highly myopic eyes in Chinese teenagers. Methods This is a cross-sectional and retrospective study. 544 teenagers (1050 eyes) with refraction more than -6.00 D were recruited from Tongren Eye Care Center. All participants underwent examinations including cycloplegic auto-refractometry and retinoscopy, BCVA, slit lamp and 45°color funds photography centered in macular. BCVA was recorded with logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) acuity. 988/1050 (94.1%) fundus photographs with clearly visible optic disc and fovea were selected for analysis. Degree of tessellation in optic disc and macular was defined by the exposure of choroidal vessel. Area of beta parapapillary atrophy (PPA), maximal and minimal diameter of optic disc, degree of fundus tessellation were measured by Image J software. Optic disc ovality was calculated by maximal diameter/minimal diameter. Associations between degree of tessellation, beta PPA area, optic disc ovality and refractive error, BCVA were analyzed. Presence of high myopic retinopathy, including chorioretinal atrophy, lacquer crack and Fuchs spot were also observed. Results Mean spherical equivalent was (-10.66±2.63) D. Mean logMAR BCVA was 0.11±0.22. Tessellation was in 66.9% eyes. Mean degree in macular and peripapillary region was 0.83±0.96 and 1.04±1.00 (r=0.875, P=0.000). Beta PPA was in 97.3% eyes and mean area was (0.45±0.57) mm2. Mean ovality factor was 1.25±0.18 and Tilted optic disc was in 28.5% eyes. Refractive error, logMAR BCVA, beta PPA area, tilted optic disc and ovality factor were related with the degree of optic disc and macular tessellation (P<0.05). Highly myopic retinopathy was found in 28 eyes, with older age, larger area of PPA, higher presence of tilted optic disc and degree of tessellation, worse BCVA. Conclusions Beta PPA was the main fundus characteristics in teenagers. Visual acuity can be seriously impaired by highly myopic retinopathy, such as chorioretinal atrophy. Key words: Myopia, degenerative/diagnosis; Myopia, degenerative/complications; Disease attributes