Quantitative analysis with volume rendering of pathological myopic eyes by high-resolution three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

Discovering a relationship between axial length and vitreous volume would be helpful since the axial length is easier to measure than magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters. This study aimed to analyze the topography of human eyes with pathological myopia through volume rendering images by high-resolution 3D-MRI and to establish a model to estimate the vitreous volume.This was a retrospective, non-randomized, controlled study of patients evaluated at Tongren Hospital from July 7, 2007 to December 12, 2018. The controls were emmetropic volunteers. All participants underwent ophthalmic examinations. Axial length was measured with an IOL Master. High-resolution 3D MRI and volume rendering was utilized for all the eyes. Logistic regression was used to establish a model to predict the vitreous volume.A total of 280 emmetropic eyes and 290 eyes with pathological myopia were included. Males represented 60.7% and 65.5% of the individuals. The mean axial lengths of those two groups were 23.1 ± 0.8 mm (95%CI: 22.7–23.4 mm) and 28.3 ± 2.2 mm (95%CI: 27.5–29.2 mm), respectively (P < .001). The regression model in the pathological myopic group for calculating the vitreous volume according to the axial length was: Vitreous volume = 546.27 × axial length − 6977.12. The regression model in the emmetropic group for calculating the vitreous volume according to the axial length was: Vitreous volume = 458.35 × axial length − 6331.14 (R2 = 0.360, P = .001).Elongation of the axial length is involved in eyeball enlargement in pathological myopic eyes. Measurement of the axial length could be recommended for the estimation of the vitreous volume during vitrectomy if vitreous cavity filling is needed.