The efficacy of posterior scleral reinforcement for macular retinoschisis in pathological myopia

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the clinical curative effect of posterior scleral reinforcement for macular retinoschisis in pathological myopic patients. Methods A prospective study was conducted, in which 36 pathological myopia patients(36 eyes)with myopic foveoschisis were enrolled and divided into two groups according to the treatments: 24 patients (24 eyes) voluntarily underwent posterior scleral reinforcement (PSR, operation group) and 12 patients (12 eyes) didn't receive operation (control group) .There are no statistical differences (P>0.05) in age, gender, length of axis oculi, spherical equivalent between the 2 groups. All patients were examined by best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), macular retinoschisis types, central foveal thickness (CFT), maximum foveal thickness (MxFT) . Patients in operation group were scheduled to a follow-up 3rd, 6th, and 9th month after surgery respectively. Patients in control group all were followed up once every three months. A contrast observation was made on the changes of BCVA, CFT, MxFT, findings of the foveoschisis and the complications of the surgery between groups. Results Compared with the preoperation after 9 month follow-up: in the operation group, the BCVA was significantly increased postoperatively (Z=-3.43, P=0.01), the mean CFT was significantly decreased postoperatively (Z=-2.71, P=0.007), while the MxFT which was not significantly decreased postoperatively (Z=-0.67, P=0.503). In the control group, there was no significant change in BCVA (Z=-1.840, P>0.05), the CFT and the MxFT were signi? cant increased respectively (Z=-2.803, -2.04; P<0.05). In the operation group, there were 6 (25.0%) of the 24 eyes get complete resolution of the foveoschisis; 16 (66.7%) of them is not completely attached however the retinoschisis was significantly decreased; only 2 eyes developed to macular hole the other getting worse and the foveal thickness was increased. In the control group no one get complete resolution of the myopic foveoschisis, and 2 eyes developed to retinal detachment in 6 and 8 month respectively. There was no complications such as post-operative intra-ocular pressure increased, subretinal hemorrhage, macular epiretinal membrane, endophthalmitis, vortex vein circumfluence obstacle and anterior ocular ischemia syndrome occurred after surgery. Conclusions Posterior scleral reinforcement surgery was found effective in improving the visual acuity, reducing the CFT. No obvious complications were found during and after the surgery. Key words: Myopia, degenerative/complications; Retinal perforations/surgery; Scleroplasty