Progression Of Myopic Maculopathy Research Articles

Effect of intraocular pressure reduction on progressive high myopia (PHM study): study protocol of a randomised controlled trial

BackgroundIn adult patients with high myopia (HM), progressive axial elongation poses a significant risk for the development of subsequent ocular complications that may lead to visual impairment. Effective strategies to...

EVALUATION OF MACULAR ATROPHY IN PATIENTS TREATED WITH MACULAR BUCKLE FOR MYOPIC TRACTION MACULOPATHY: Mid- and Long-Term Follow-Up.

To evaluate the incidence, rate, and pattern of progression of myopic maculopathy in eyes operated with macular buckle (MB) for myopic traction maculopathy versus a control group without surgery to find out whether the progression varies due to the MB's indentation and to evaluate possible MB-related pigmentary changes or atrophy. Eyes operated with MB with two good quality fundus images: one preoperative or early postoperative image and a second image at least 12 months apart; the control group comprised the contralateral eyes. Demographics, axial length, follow-up, stage of myopic traction maculopathy, and myopic maculopathy were reported. Progression results of groups and subgroups (mid- and long-term follow-up) were reported and compared. Overall, 116 eyes of 66 patients were included. Progression was found in 29 eyes (41.4%) and 23 eyes (50%) in the MB group and control group, respectively. The progression rate was 73 per 1,000 eye-years and 88.9 per 1,000 eye-years in the MB group and the control group, respectively. Axial length was found to predict progression (odds ratio [OR], 2.59; P = 0.02). Progression of myopic maculopathy was similar in both groups and was mildly greater in the control group. No MB-related pigmentary changes or atrophy was detected.

Four-Year Progression of Myopic Maculopathy in Children and Adolescents With High Myopia

Individuals with high myopia younger than 18 years are at relatively high risk of progressively worsening myopic maculopathy. Additional studies are needed to investigate the progression of myopic maculopathy in this age group, as well as the risk factors associated with progression. To investigate the 4-year progression of myopic maculopathy in children and adolescents with high myopia, and to explore potential risk factors. This hospital-based observational study with 4-year follow-up included a total of 548 high myopic eyes (spherical power -6.00 or less diopters) of 274 participants aged 7 to 17 years. Participants underwent comprehensive ophthalmic examination at baseline and 4-year follow-up. Myopic maculopathy was accessed by the International Photographic Classification and Grading System. The data analysis was performed from August 1 to 15, 2023. The progression of myopic maculopathy progression over 4 years and associated risk factors. The 4-year progression of myopic maculopathy was found in 67 of 548 eyes (12.2%) of 274 participants (138 girls [50.4%] at baseline and 4-year follow-up) with 88 lesion changes, including new signs of the tessellated fundus in 16 eyes (18.2%), diffuse atrophy in 12 eyes (13.6%), patchy atrophy in 2 eyes (2.3%), lacquer cracks in 9 eyes (10.2%), and enlargement of diffuse atrophy in 49 eyes (55.7%). By multivariable analysis, worse best-corrected visual acuity (odds ratio [OR], 6.68; 95% CI, 1.15-38.99; P = .04), longer axial length (AL) (OR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.34-2.24; P < .001), faster AL elongation (OR, 302.83; 95% CI, 28.61-3205.64; P < .001), and more severe myopic maculopathy (diffuse atrophy; OR, 4.52; 95% CI, 1.98-10.30; P < .001 and patchy atrophy; OR, 3.82; 95% CI, 1.66-8.80; P = .002) were associated with myopic maculopathy progression. In this observational study, the progression of myopic maculopathy was observed in approximately 12% of pediatric high myopes for 4 years. The major type of progression was the enlargement of diffuse atrophy. Risk factors for myopic maculopathy progression were worse best-corrected visual acuity, longer AL, faster AL elongation, and more severe myopic maculopathy. These findings support consideration of follow-up in these individuals and trying to identify those at higher risk for progression.

Progression of Myopic Maculopathy Based on the ATN Classification System

Introduction: Myopic maculopathy is a sight-threatening disease, which causes irreversible vision faults and central vision loss. The purpose of this study is evaluating the risk factors of the myopic maculopathy progression according to the ATN classification system. Methods: Clinic data of 69 high myopia patients aged older than 40 years with a follow-up time of more than 2 years, who underwent fundus photography and OCT examination were retrospectively collected. Fundus changes were evaluated with ATN classification at the first and last follow-up times. The related factors affecting progress including axial length (AL), spherical equivalence (SE), subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT), disc-foveal distance (DFD), optic disc tilt, and parapapillary atrophy (PPA) were analyzed. Results: This study included 69 high-myopia patients with mean age 54.29 ± 10.41 years. The progression rate of myopic maculopathy (MM) was approximately 25.56%. Elongated DFD (5.37 ± 0.11 mm vs. 4.86 ± 0.37 mm; p < 0.001) and thinner SFCT (138.52 ± 29.38 μm vs. 184.87 ± 48.72 μm; p = 0.008) at baseline were linked with MM progression. In multiple logistic regression analysis, DFD was a substantial hazard risk factor (adjusted OR = 1.672, 95% CI: 1.135–2.498, p < 0.05) after adjusting for age, AL and SFCT. Receiver operating characteristic curve showed that DFD might serve as a predictor to discriminate the MM progression with a cut-off value of 5.15 mm and a substantial receiver operating characteristic curve area (AUC: 0.794). Compared with the non-progression group, the progression group had older age (p < 0.001), longer AL (p = 0.001), higher optic disc tilt rate (p < 0.001), and higher proportion of pre-existing PPA (p = 0.038) at baseline, the differences were statistically significant. Conclusion: Based on the ATN classification system, we found that the progression of MM was related to older age, longer AL, high disc tilt, pre-existing PPA, thinner SFCT, and longer DFD. The parameter of DFD was an important factor affecting the progression of MM, which is considered to have a higher probability of progression when the length is beyond 5.15 mm.

Exosomal MicroRNA Profiling in Vitreous Humor Derived From Pathological Myopia Patients.

Pathologic myopia (PM) is one of the primary causes of blindness. This study aims to explore the possible relations between the composition of microRNA in vitreous exosomes of patients with PM and the progression of myopic maculopathy. Vitreous humor (VH) samples were collected from patients undergoing retinal surgery. A total of 15 and 12 VH samples were obtained from patients with PM and control, respectively. The PM group was divided into PM-L (G2) and PM-H groups (G3 and G4) in order to explore differentially expressed microRNAs (DEMs) that account for the relatively poor prognosis in G3 and G4 myopic maculopathy. A Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) was conducted to find the persistently altered key microRNAs in myopic maculopathy progression. The Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were used. High purity exosomes were extracted from the vitreous fluid of patients with PM and control. The top five downregulated DEMs of PM-H versus PM-L can reflect the tendency of deterioration of PM-H myopic maculopathy. MiR-143-3p and miR-145-5p, which were found in WGCNA, may participate in the development of myopic maculopathy. These microRNAs all relate to the insulin resistance pathway. This is the first study to explore the relations between the progression of myopic maculopathy and vitreous exosomal microRNAs. Vitreous exosomal miR-143-3p and miR-145-5p can be considered biomarkers for patients with PM, and the vitreous exosomal DEM associated with PM-H may represent alarming signals of myopic maculopathy deterioration.

Progression of Myopic Maculopathy in Patients With Myopic Traction Maculopathy After Vitrectomy.

To compare the progression of myopic maculopathy with or without vitrectomy in patients with myopic traction maculopathy (MTM). Seventy-seven eyes with MTM were classified into either the observation group (n = 38) or the vitrectomy (n = 39) group. Progression of myopic maculopathy was assessed with fundus photography using infrared images. Progression within stage was evaluated as an increase in area of atrophic lesions on infrared images using ImageJ software. The rate of progression was compared using the paired t test. The mean follow-up period was 60.0 ± 47.5 months. The initial mean stage of myopic maculopathy for the observation group was 1.86 ± 0.86, and it progressed to 2.00 ± 0.83 (p = 0.023) at the last visit. For the vitrectomy group, the stage progressed from 1.82 ± 0.96 to 2.05 ± 1.09 (p = 0.011). Four eyes (10.5%) in the observation group showed progression at 87.3 months, and seven eyes (17.9%) in the vitrectomy group showed progression at 31.3 months. Surgery in patients with MTM may accelerate the progression of myopic maculopathy. Therefore, care should be taken when considering surgery for patients with MTM.

Myopic maculopathy and posterior staphyloma. Correlation with ATN classification and severe pathological myopia

AbstractPurpose: The aims of this study were: (1) to correlate posterior staphyloma with the ATN classification; (2) identify differences in clinical characteristics in terms of axial length (AL), age and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in eyes with the presence and absence of posterior staphyloma; (3) correlate the presence of posterior staphyloma with severe pathological myopia.Methods: This was a cross‐sectional and observational study developed in consecutive patients with high myopia. A complete ophthalmological examination, classification of myopic maculopathy according to the ATN grading system, staphyloma classification according to Curtin, and multimodal imaging tests (retinography, swept‐source OCT, autofluorescence and OCT‐angiography) were performed.Results: 336 eyes of 178 patients with high myopia were included. 71.4% of the sample were woman. The mean AL was 29.7 ± 2.6 mm (26–36.7). The mean age was 62.7 ± 13.1 years (27–92). The BCVA was 0.5 ± 0.3 (0–1). 238 eyes (70.8%) presented staphyloma; classifying 73.5% (n = 175/238) as simple and 26.5% as compound (n = 63/238). The most frequent types of staphylomas were type 2 and type 3, both present in 18.1% of the total (n = 43/238). Eyes with staphyloma had higher AL, worse BCVA and older age (p &lt; 0.01), with no differences between sexes (p &gt; 0.05). When differentiating between eyes with simple staphyloma and compound staphyloma, statistically significant differences were observed with respect to AL (p &lt; 0.01), being higher in compound staphylomas. The severe pathological myopia subgroup (LA &gt; 29.5 mm) presented a higher incidence of posterior staphyloma, with statistically significant differences (p &lt; 0.01). Regarding the ATN classification, when analysing the eyes with the presence and absence of staphyloma, statistically significant differences (p &lt; 0.01) were observed in the three components (atrophic [A], tractional [T] and neovascular [N]); having more advanced stages of A, T and N the eyes with staphyloma.Conclusions: Posterior staphyloma in highly myopic patients is a crucial finding in the progression of myopic maculopathy, being related to worse visual acuity, greater AL, older age and more advanced stages of the ATN classification. There is a higher prevalence of posterior staphyloma in eyes with severe pathological myopia.

Progression of Myopic Maculopathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the risk factors for the progression of myopic maculopathy (MM) based on severity. In this study, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature published before December 2020 on the risk factors for the progression of MM in patients with pathologic myopia (PM) and high myopia (HM). Odds ratios (ORs) for different stages of myopic maculopathy categorized based on the International Meta-Analysis for PM (META-PM) classification were calculated using fixed and random effects models. A total of 12,070 affected eyes derived from 5 cohort studies were included in the systematic review. The presence of PM at baseline was found to be significantly associated with an increased risk of MM progression (pooled ORs: 7.17, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.29-15.6), and the greater category of MM at baseline was found to be significantly associated with an increased risk of MM progression, that is, eyes with MM category 3 or more compared with eyes with MM category 2 (pooled OR: 10.95, 95% CI: 6.07-19.76) and eyes with MM category 4 compared with eyes with MM category 3 (pooled ORs: 2.45, 95% CI: 0.28-21.37). The findings in this systematic review and meta-analysis indicate that the progression of MM is associated with more severe MM at baseline.

Progression pattern of myopic maculopathy according to the severity of diffuse chorioretinal atrophy and choroidal thickness

This observational cohort study aimed to evaluate the progression pattern of diffuse chorioretinal atrophy (DCA) according to its severity. Highly myopic eyes with DCA were graded according to its extent in the 532-nm (green) and 633-nm (red) wavelengths images of the Optos ultra-widefield scanning laser ophthalmoscope at baseline: grade 1 and 2 were defined when increased reflectance at peripapillary region, not beyond the fovea, were observed in red laser image only and in both laser images, respectively; grade 3 and 4 were defined when increased reflectance beyond the fovea were observed in red laser image only and in both laser images, respectively. A total of 307 eyes (221 patients) were included, and progression of myopic maculopathy during follow-up of ≥ 3 years was evaluated. The mean visual acuity and subfoveal choroidal thickness (CT) differed among DCA grades (P = 0.015 and P < 0.001); a higher DCA grade had worse visual acuity and thinner choroid. During follow-up, development of patchy atrophy (PA) was observed in 3.2%, 5.5%, 12.8%, and 23.2% (P < 0.001), while changes in lacquer crack (LC) and/or development of myopic macular neovascularization were observed in 20.6%, 29.1%, 33.3%, and 15.8% (P = 0.061) of 63, 110, 39, and 95 eyes with DCA grade of 1, 2, 3, and 4 at baseline, respectively. New LC formation tended to occur in eyes with thicker CT at baseline compared to PA development and progression of pre-existing LC. In highly myopic eyes with DCA, progression pattern of myopic maculopathy is different according to its severity and CT at baseline. Grading based on separated wavelength images of ultra-widefield scanning laser ophthalmoscope is useful to evaluate the severity and prognosis of DCA in Asian patients with high myopia.

Parapapillary gamma zone enlargement in a 10-year follow-up: the Beijing Eye Study 2001-2011.

To assess prevalence and associated factors of parapapillary gamma zone enlargement (GZE). Using fundus photographs and optical coherence tomographic images of participants of the population-based Beijing Eye Study, we examined gamma zone changes in a 10-year follow-up. The study included 89 highly myopic eyes (61 participants; age: 65.0 ± 9.8 years) and 86 randomly selected non-highly myopic eyes. GZE prevalence was significantly higher in highly myopic eyes than non-highly myopic eyes (75/89; 84%; 95% CI: 77, 92 versus 18/86; 21%; 95% CI:12, 30; p < 0.001). None of the eyes showed a reduction in gamma zone size. Higher prevalence of segmental GZE without enlargement of Bruch's membrane opening (BMO) (mean: 26/175; 14.9%; 95% CI: 9.5, 20.2) was associated with optic disc size reduction (OR: 43.3; 95% CI: 10.9, 172; p < 0.001), disc-fovea distance elongation (OR: 15.4; 95% CI: 3.12, 76.4; p = 0.001) and lower prevalence of high axial myopia (OR: 0.08; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.44; p = 0.001). Higher prevalence of circular GZE (mean: 38/175; 21.7%; 95% CI: 16, 28) was correlated with optic disc enlargement (OR: 4.30; 95% CI: 1.58, 11.7; p = 0.004), and higher prevalence of myopic maculopathy progression (OR: 4.04; 95% CI: 1.60, 10.2; p = 0.003), or alternatively, higher prevalence of high myopia (OR: 4.44; 95% CI: 1.76, 11.2; p = 0.002). Circular GZE or BMO enlargement was associated with lower prevalence of macular BM defect enlargement (p = 0.035). GZE occurred perpendicular to the orientation of myopic lacquer cracks in 12 out of 17 (71%; 95% CI: 46, 95) eyes with lacquer cracks. Segmental GZE occurred in 49 (89%) out of 55 eyes in the same direction as shortening of the disc diameter developed. The observations support the possibility of a posterior myopic axial elongation-associated BMO shift, leading to a segmental GZE in non-highly myopic eyes, followed by a circular GZE in highly myopic eyes. Large gamma zone might be protective against macular Bruch's membrane defects.

Five-Year Cumulative Incidence and Progression of Myopic Maculopathy in a German Population

To investigate the 5-year cumulative incidence and progression of myopic maculopathy in the general population in Germany and to analyze potential risk factors. The Gutenberg Health Study (GHS) is a population-based cohort study including 15 010 participants aged 35 to 74 years at baseline. A total of 494 eyes of 323 participants (mean age, 50.2 ± 9.2 years; median,-7.25 diopters [D] myopic refractive error) without myopic maculopathy at baseline and 34 eyes of 27 subjects (mean age, 56.7 ± 9.1 years; median,-8.75 D myopic refractive error) with myopic maculopathy met the inclusion conditions, phakic eyes with spherical equivalent ≤-6 D (baseline), and had gradable fundus photographs at baseline and 5-year follow-up. Myopic maculopathy incidence and progression were assessed by grading of fundus photographs according to a recent international photographic classification system (META-PM). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess risk factors for progression of myopic maculopathy. Estimates for incidence and progression of myopic maculopathy. The 5-year cumulative incidence of myopic maculopathy was 0.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.02-1.99; n= 1). Progression occurred in 17 of 34 eyes (50%) with prior myopic maculopathy over 5 years with 4 changes in category. The most common types of progression were enlargement of diffuse and patchy chorioretinal atrophy; a new pathology was present in 8 eyes. Higher intraocular pressure (IOP) (odds ratio [OR], 1.62; 95% CI, 1.51-1.59; P= 0.035) was associated with progression of myopic maculopathy. Female gender (OR, 5.54; 95% CI, 0.93-32.92; P= 0.060) and higher myopic refractive error (OR, 1.62 per diopter; 95% CI, 0.99-1.49; P= 0.063) showed a tendency toward progression. Incidence of myopic maculopathy is rare in highly myopic eyes in the general population aged 35 to 74 years in Germany. Progression of myopic maculopathy in the German population occurred in 50% of highly myopic eyes. We presented population-based 5-year follow-up data on incidence and progression of myopic maculopathy in Europe.

Morphological parameters of the posterior pole in a high myopia population aged over 40 years: a 10-year follow-up study

Objective To study the long-term changes of the morphological parameters of the posterior pole in highly myopic patients over 40 years old in Chinese natural population. Methods A population-based follow-up study. The study included 71 patients (27 males, 44 females; 110 eyes) with high myopia who completed the Beijing Eye Study in 2001 and 2011 and had assessable color fundus photographs. The age of the patients in 2011 was 56.2±9.5 years old. According to the definition of pathological myopia by the meta-analysis of the Pathological Myopia Research Group, the fundus photos in 2001 were interpreted, and 110 eyes were divided into groups of simple high myopia (79 eyes) and pathological myopia (31 eyes). The morphological parameters during the 2 follow-up visits in 2001 and 2011 were measured in the color fundus photos, including optic disc tilt ratio, optic disc rotation degree, β zone area, disc-fovea distance, disc-outer β zone border distance, fovea-outer β zone border distance, and vertical distance between temporal arterial arcades, and compared in all the subjects, patients with simple high myopia and patients with pathological myopia. Correlations between the 10-year changes of these parameters and other parameters were analyzed using multiple linear regression analysis. Results In all subjects, the incidence of optic disc tilt and rotation was 41.1% (44/107) and 63.3% (68/107), respectively. The optic disc tilt ratio in 2001 and 2011 was 1.34±0.31 and 1.34±0.33, respectively. The optic disc rotation degree was 30.4±26.3° and 30.0±25.3 in 2001 and 2011, respectively. The differences in optic disc tilt ratio (Z=-0.317, P>0.05) and optic disc rotation degree (t=0.159, P>0.05) were not statistically significant. The β zone area [1.34 (0.45,3.73)mm2, Z=-7.295, P<0.05], disc-fovea distance [(5.18±0.54)mm, t=-3.523, P<0.05], and disc-outer β zone border distance [1.55 (0.24,2.16)mm, Z=-6.825, P<0.05] in 2011 were significantly increased compared to those in 2001 [1.05 (0.23,1.88)mm2, 5.08±0.43, 1.39 (0.77,1.93)mm]. There was no statistically significant difference in the vertical distance between temporal arterial arcades (Z=-1.858, P>0.05). The fovea-outer β zone border distance in the simple high myopia group in 2011 was significantly shorter than that in 2001 (Z=-3.221, P<0.05), while there was no significant change in this parameter in the pathological myopia group (t=0.655, P<0.05). In multivariate analysis, larger β zone area was significantly correlated with longer corneal curvature (r=0.462, P<0.05) and longer axial length (P<0.05). Longer disc-fovea distance was significantly correlated with lower best corrected visual acuity (r=0.348, P<0.05) and longer axial length (P<0.05). Similarly, longer disc-outer β zone border distance was related to lower best corrected visual acuity (r=0.538, P<0.05) and longer axial length (P<0.05). In addition, the progression of myopic maculopathy (Z=-3.425, P<0.05) and the progression from simple high myopia to pathological myopia (Z=-2.911, P<0.05) were both related to enlargement of the β zone. Conclusion For patients with high myopia aged over 40 years, the optic disc morphology is relatively stable, while the disc-fovea distance and β zone area will continue to increase with the progression of myopia. This may be due to the elongation of axial length. Enlargement of the β zone may be a predictor for the progression of myopic maculopathy. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2021, 57:908-915).

Role of Ultra-widefield Imaging in the evaluation of Long-term change of highly myopic fundus.

To evaluate the impact of posterior staphyloma identified using ultra-widefield fundus imaging on the long-term progression of myopic maculopathy in highly myopic patients. In this observational cohort study, highly myopic patients who were followed up for at least 5 years using ultra-widefield fundus imaging were analysed for fundus abnormalities and the progression of myopic maculopathy based on the International Meta-analysis of Pathologic Myopia classification. This study included 390 eyes (210 patients) with the mean follow-up period of 69.2 ± 7.5 months (range, 60-88). Posterior staphyloma was identified in 198 eyes (50.8%) in the baseline ultra-widefield fundus images. The border of staphyloma was not identified within 50° view circle corresponding to conventional fundus photography in 42 eyes (21.2%) with staphyloma, most of that were wide macular type. Progression of myopic maculopathy during follow-up was observed in 202 eyes (51.8%), and eyes with staphyloma were more likely to show progression compared to those without (142/198 [71.7%] versus 60/192 [31.3%]; p < 0.001). In multivariable regression analysis, the presence of posterior staphyloma was an independent risk factor for the progression of myopic maculopathy (p = 0.005). One or more peripheral retinal lesions were observed in 302 eyes (77.4%) and 321 eyes (82.3%) in the baseline and final ultra-widefield fundus images, respectively. Posterior staphyloma was associated with the long-term progression of myopic maculopathy. With a wider field of view, ultra-widefield fundus imaging is useful for identifying the posterior staphyloma and monitoring the progression of myopic maculopathy in highly myopic patients.

Long-term progression of myopic maculopathy in degenerative myopia as imaged by SD-OCT and IR imaging

ABSTRACT Clinical relevance Clinicians can benefit from developing an understanding of the natural disease progression of myopic maculopathy in degenerative myopia using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Background The prevalence of high myopia is constantly increasing. In this work, infrared imaging and OCT is used to study the natural course of the disease. Methods This is a retrospective longitudinal study. Medical records of 72 patients with high myopia (< 6.00 D) and a minimum five-year follow-up period were analysed. Collected data on all enrolled patients included demographic characteristics and medical history, as well as recordings on best-corrected visual acuity, slitlamp examination, OCT, and fluorescein angiography in cases of suspected myopic choroidal neovascularisation. Images were independently marked by two graders. Results The mean age of patients was 54.6 ± 14.4 years (59.72% female) with baseline logMAR best-corrected visual acuity of 0.22 ± 0.28. At baseline examination, 70.83% of the study group showed signs of maculopathy and 62.5% diffuse or patchy atrophy. During follow-up, 22.2% of patients with any type of atrophy showed enlarged affected areas. Two patients with baseline lacquer cracks developed new lesions. There was a weak correlation between patient age and maculopathy progression (r = 0.233; p = 0.03). While central retinal thickness was not associated with maculopathy progression (p = 0.203), a moderate correlation was found between choroidal thickness and maculopathy progression (r = −0.516; p < 0.001). Conclusion Lesion characteristics in myopic degeneration have been elucidated, taking advantage of the ongoing technological advances in retinal imaging. The understanding of disease patterns and progression is essential for appropriate management of patients, while discovering biomarkers which lead to choroidal neovascularisation development is of urgent importance to establish international diagnostic criteria and treatment protocols.

Choroidal and peripapillary changes in high myopic eyes with Stickler syndrome

BackgroundTo compare different clinical and Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT) features of high myopic eyes with Stickler syndrome (STL) with matched controls.MethodsPatients with genetically confirmed STL with axial length ≥ 26 mm and controls matched for axial length were included. The following data were obtained from SD-OCT scans and fundus photography: choroidal and retinal thickness (respectively, CT and RT), peripapillary atrophy area (PAA), presence of posterior staphyloma (PS).ResultsTwenty-six eyes of 17 patients with STL and 25 eyes of 19 controls were evaluated. Compared with controls, patients with STL showed a greater CT subfoveally, at 1000 μm from the fovea at both nasal and temporal location, and at 2000 and 3000 μm from the fovea in nasal location (respectively, 188.7±72.8 vs 126.0±88.7 μm, 172.5±77.7 vs 119.3±80.6 μm, 190.1±71.9 vs 134.9±79.7 μm, 141.3±56.0 vs 98.1±68.5 μm, and 110.9±51.0 vs 67.6±50.7 μm, always P< 0.05). Furthermore, patients with STL showed a lower prevalence of PS (11.5% vs 68%, P< 0.001) and a lower PAA (2.2±2.1 vs 5.4±5.8 mm2, P=0.03), compared with controls.ConclusionsThis study shows that high myopic patients with STL show a greater CT, a lower PAA and a lower prevalence of PS, compared with controls matched for axial length. These findings could be relevant for the development and progression of myopic maculopathy in patients with STL.

PROGRESSION OF MYOPIC MACULOPATHY IN CHINESE CHILDREN WITH HIGH MYOPIA: A Long-Term Follow-Up Study.

To investigate the progression of myopic maculopathy and associated factors in highly myopic Chinese children. In this retrospective observational case series, biometric fundus features were morphometrically measured on photographs. Myopic maculopathy was defined as recommended by the Meta-analysis of Pathologic Myopia Study Group. The study included 274 children (mean age: 11.7 ± 2.5 years; mean refractive error: -7.66 ± 1.87 diopters [D]) with a mean follow-up of 4.9 ± 1.2 years. Myopic maculopathy progression was detected in 52 eyes (18.9%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 14.3-23.7%). In multivariable analysis, myopic maculopathy progression was associated with a decrease in refractive error (odds ratio [OR]: 0.72; 95% CI: 0.56-0.92; P < 0.001) (i.e., higher myopization) and enlargement of parapapillary gamma zone (OR: 7.68; 95% CI: 1.63-36.2; P = 0.002). Incident peripapillary diffuse choroidal atrophy, noted in 47 of 236 eyes (20.0%; 95% CI: 14.8-25.2%), was correlated with a decrease in refractive error (OR: 0.70; 95% CI: 0.54-0.92; P = 0.009) (i.e., higher myopization) and greater gamma zone enlargement (OR: 8.28; 95% CI: 1.33-51.7; P = 0.02). Myopia in schoolchildren may have a considerable risk of progressing to myopic maculopathy. Enlargement of parapapillary gamma zone was a main independent risk factor.

Effect of medically lowering intraocular pressure in glaucoma suspects with high myopia (GSHM study): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundCurrently, whether and when intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering medication should be used in glaucoma suspects with high myopia (GSHM) remains unknown. Glaucoma suspects are visual field (VF) defects that cannot be explained by myopic macular changes or other retinal and neurologic conditions. Glaucoma progression is defined by VF deterioration. Here we describe the rationale, design, and methodology of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) designed to evaluate the effects of medically lowering IOP in GSHM (GSHM study).MethodsThe GSHM study is an open-label, single-center, RCT for GSHM. Overall, 264 newly diagnosed participants, aged 35 to 65 years, will be recruited at the Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, between 2020 and 2021. Participants will be randomly divided into two arms at a 1:1 ratio. Participants in the intervention arm will receive IOP-lowering medication, while participants in the control arm will be followed up without treatment for 36 months or until they reach the end point. Only one eye per participant will be eligible for the study. If both eyes are eligible, the eye with the worse VF will be recruited. The primary outcome is the incidence of glaucoma suspect progression by VF testing over 36 months. The secondary outcomes include the incidence of changes in the optic nerve head morphology including the retinal nerve fiber layer, and retinal ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer loss, progression of myopic maculopathy, visual function loss, and change in the quality of life. Statistical analyses will include baseline characteristics comparison between the intervention and control groups using a two-sample t-test and Wilcoxon rank sum test; generalized linear models with Poisson regression for the primary outcome; Kaplan-Meier curve and log-rank test for the incidence of the secondary outcome; and longitudinal analyses to assess trends in outcomes across time.DiscussionTo the best of our knowledge, the GSHM study is the first RCT to investigate the impact of medically lowering IOP in GSHM. The results will have implications for the clinical management of GSHM.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT04296916. Registered on 4 March 2020

Choroidal thickness predicts progression of myopic maculopathy in high myopes: a 2-year longitudinal study

AimTo prospectively determine the impact of choroidal thickness (CT) on the myopic maculopathy progression.MethodsThis is a prospective, longitudinal, observational study. In total, 434 participants aged 7–70 years with bilateral high...

Progression of myopic maculopathy in a Caucasian cohort of highly myopic patients with long follow-up: a multistate analysis.

This study aims to determine the probability of progression of myopic maculopathy according to age. This is a longitudinal observational study of single-center retrospective cohort of Caucasian patients formed by 212 consecutive adults with high myopia. Main outcome measures were age, visual acuity (VA), refractive error (RE), follow-up time, and the macular status assessed at least 5years apart according to the Meta-Analysis of Pathologic Myopia Study Group. The progression rate was calculated based on per 1000 eyes/year. Multistate models were fitted to identify the predictive factors and to calculate the most probable age of progression onset using the Aalen-Johansen estimator. We studied 220 eyes of 122 Caucasian patients. Mean age was 48.18 ± 14.1, mean follow-up 12.73 ± 5.81years. One-hundred and fifty-two (69.1%) eyes progressed of category, and 96 (44%) worsened a mean of 0.3 logMAR units during follow-up. The progression rate was 32.21/1000 eyes/year. The probability of progressing increased with age; it was higher in women if there was a family history of myopia, worse VA, higher RE, or wide macular staphyloma. The probability of progressing from category 1 was > 0.6 after 70years of age; from category 2, it was 0.7 after 70years; and 0.5 from category 3 after 75years. If choroidal neovascularization (CNV) appeared, this probability exceeded 0.7 between ages 45 and 55 for all categories. The progression rate is lower than in a Japanese series. The vision worsened with disease progression, and the probability of both happening increased after the age of 70-75. If CNV appears, the risk of progression is very high at the age of 45-55.

Treatment of macular hole retinal detachment with macular plug in highly myopic eyes: three-year results.

To investigate the long-term surgical outcomes of macular hole retinal detachment (MHRD) following vitrectomy with macular plug in highly myopic eyes. Thirty-five cases of highly myopic eyes with MHRD in 35 patients who underwent an initially successful vitrectomy with macular plug and were followed up for at least 3years were reviewed. The anatomical outcomes were evaluated by fundus examination, fundus photographs and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Myopic features after the surgery were differentiated according to recommendations of the Meta-analysis of Pathologic Myopia (META-PM) Study Group. The best-corrected visual acuities (BCVAs) before and after surgery were analysed as the functional outcome. Main outcome measures time-course changes in BCVA and complications. The mean patient age was 61.0±11.4years. The follow-up was 45.2±8.6months (ranged from 36 to 71months). The mean axial length was 29.3±1.2mm. All eyes demonstrated attached retina, but 2 eyes (5.7%) developed reopened macular holes until the last follow-up. Complications of postoperative rhegmatogenous retinal detachment were detected in 2 eyes (5.7%) within 1year and retina reattached after the secondary vitrectomy. Three cases (8.6%) of prolonged subretinal fluid lasting more than 1year were detected but finally absorbed completely. Comparing 1-3years postoperatively, myopic features showed significant progression of myopic maculopathy category (p=0.035). Functionally, significantly improved BCVA could be maintained postoperatively between 6months and 3years. However, vision of 14 eyes (40.0%) worsened within 1-3years postoperatively, and visual deterioration was associated with progression of myopic maculopathy (p=0.004) and pre-existing disease of glaucoma (p=0.006). A vitrectomy combined with macular plug provided favourable outcomes in the long term, over the ≥3-year follow-up period.