Chorioretinal folds as a consequence of inferior staphyloma associated with tilted disc syndrome

Tilted disc in eyes with fovea plana

PURPOSE

To report the association of tilted disc (TD) with fovea plana.

METHODS

Monocentric retrospective study of consecutive eyes diagnosed with fovea plana, assessed by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. Analysis of the medical charts and imaging findings of patients to collect demographics, the visual acuity, and the clinical context. The presence of associated conditions was checked by two independent readers in order to classify fovea plana as isolated or part of other conditions.

RESULTS

Twenty-one patients, 9 men and 12 women, aged 12 to 91 years, were included. Fovea plana was isolated and asymptomatic in 10 (47.6%) patients. In 6 (28.5%) patients, fovea plana was associated with ocular albinism and/or nystagmus. In 6 (28.5%) patients, fovea plana was associated with an obliquity of the optic disc typical of TD, isolated (5 cases), or associated with nystagmus (1 case).

CONCLUSION

An association between TD and fovea plana had been reported only once in the literature and had been considered likely coincidental. However, this association could be more common than initially reported and suggests a common pathological process in eye development during embryogenesis.

Tilted disc syndrome (TDS): New hypotheses for posterior segment complications and their implications in other retinal diseases

Tilted disc syndrome (TDS) is considered a congenital anomaly due to a delayed closure of the embryonic fissure. It is characterized by an oblique orientation of the axis of the optic disc, associated with other posterior pole anomalies such as inferior crescent, situs inversus and inferior staphyloma. The aim of this review was to summarize the data supporting the current hypotheses for the pathogenesis of TDS, and its anatomical and functional clinical consequences. Recent imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging, wide-field fundus imaging, and 2- and 3-D optical coherence tomography have provided a new perspective on TDS and its complications. Different abnormalities have previously been reported, both in the anterior and posterior segments. The focus was on vision-threatening chorioretinal changes or complications, including choroidal neovascularization and serous retinal detachments and their therapeutic options. Based on clinical observations, assumptions were proposed to understand the occurrence of complications such as chorioretinal degenerative changes, choroidal neovascularization and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy, macular serous retinal detachment, myopic foveoschisis and chorioretinal folds. These hypotheses could be referred to as the curvature "breaking point" hypothesis, the uneven growth "tractional" hypothesis, the "container-content" imbalance hypothesis, and the "choroidal funnel" hypothesis. Because these complications could also occur in other contexts, understanding the pathogenesis of TDS complications could help to understand their pathophysiology.

Pre- and juxtapapillary arterial loops in eyes with tilted disc syndrome and inferior staphyloma

Purpose

To report and discuss the association between pre- or juxtapapillary arterial loops and tilted disc syndrome (TDS).

Observations

Three patients, aged 43–59 years, with both conditions were examined in a tertiary referral center, and underwent fluorescein angiography, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and/or OCT-angiography. They all presented with a typical inferior staphyloma associated with TDS and anomalies of insertion of retinal vessels. The vascular malformation consisted in one acquired arterial loop or cilioretinal collateral circulation occurring after central artery occlusion, and two more complex pre- and juxtapapillary arterial loops. In all cases, the vascular loops extended inferiorly, in the area of the staphyloma.

Conclusion and importance

We hypothesized that the local anatomical changes in the peripapillary area, observed in eyes with TDS and inferior staphyloma, could have promoted the occurrence and/or extent of the arterial loops.

Staphyloma-related chorioretinal folds

Purpose

To report a case of bilateral idiopathic chorioretinal folds that seemed to be related to an atypical staphyloma.

Observations

A 49-year old man without medical history consulted for slight vision loss and metamorphopsia in the left eye. The ophthalmologic examination revealed moderate myopia and bilateral chorioretinal folds in the posterior pole, confirmed by multimodal imaging. Orbital and systemic examinations ruled out all the known etiologies of chorioretinal folds. 3-D optical coherence tomography and B-scan suggested that the folds were related to an atypical staphyloma that developed in the temporal part of the fundus, while sparing the peripapillary area. The peripapillary area, spared by the staphyloma process, appeared as a “dome-shaped disc” compared to the staphylomatous area.

Conclusion and importance

This case suggests that myopic patients with unusual staphyloma located outside the peripapillary area could develop chorioretinal folds.

Posterior staphyloma in pathologic myopia

A posterior staphyloma is an outpouching of a circumscribed region of the posterior fundus and has been considered a hallmark of pathologic myopia. Occurring in highly myopic eyes, it is histologically characterized by a relatively abrupt scleral thinning starting at the staphyloma edge, a pronounced de-arrangement of scleral collagen fibrils and a marked choroidal thinning, which is the most marked at the staphyloma edge and which occurs in addition to the axial elongation-associated choroidal thinning. Besides in highly myopic eyes, a posterior staphyloma can be found in non-highly myopic eyes in association with retinitis pigmentosa or localized defects of Bruch's membrane in the cases of which it is not associated with a marked choroidal thinning. The diagnosis of posterior staphylomas is considered best made by wide-field optical coherence tomography, because wide-field optical coherence tomography encompasses the entire extent of the most predominant type of staphylomas (i.e., the wide macular type) and since it also has a sufficiently high resolution of images (in contrast to ultrasonography, computed tomography and three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging). While the etiology of posterior staphylomas has remained unclear, local choroidal factors and a locally decreased biomechanical resistance of the sclera against a posteriorly expanding Bruch's membrane have been one of the assumed pathogenic parameters. For the therapy of staphylomas, scleral reinforcement strategies such as by posterior encircling bands, posterior scleral collagen cross-linking or scleral regeneration have been discussed or performed, however, with the pathogenesis being elusive, the therapy of staphylomas has remained undetermined.

Chorioretinal folds in eyes with myopic staphyloma

PURPOSE

To determine the frequency and clinical characteristics of chorioretinal folds emanating from the edge of a staphyloma in highly myopic patients.

DESIGN

Observational case series.

METHODS

Eight hundred and eighty-three eyes of 463 patients with an axial length ≥26.5 mm in at least 1 eye were studied. The fellow eyes of patients with unilateral high myopia were also included. Wide-field fundus images and fundus autofluorescence images were used to detect chorioretinal folds emanating from the staphyloma edge. In 100 patients, the eye shape was analyzed by 3-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging (3D MRI).

RESULTS

A posterior staphyloma was found in 459 of the 883 eyes (52.0%). Choroidal folds radiating from the staphyloma edge were found in 6 of the 459 eyes (1.3%) with a posterior staphyloma in wide-field autofluorescent images. The axial length varied greatly from 24.3 mm to 32.5 mm. Regardless of the axial length, all of the 6 eyes had a wide, macular type of staphyloma. Chorioretinal folds emanated from the upper or upper-temporal staphyloma edge. 3D MRI images showed the presence of a notch along the upper or temporal edge of the outpouching, and the eye curvature became flatter toward the steep edge of the outpouching.

CONCLUSIONS

Chorioretinal folds can emanate from the staphyloma edge in highly myopic patients even though the edge was away from the macula. Some directional force toward the steeper edge of the staphyloma might be related to the development of chorioretinal folds.

Proposed classification of posterior staphylomas based on analyses of eye shape by three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging and wide-field fundus imaging

PURPOSE

To determine the incidence and types of posterior staphylomas in eyes with pathologic myopia by analyzing the entire eye shape by 3-dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

DESIGN

Observational, case series.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 105 patients with pathologic myopia (spherical equivalent <-8.0 diopters or axial length ≥26.5 mm) were examined by 3D MRI and Optos (Optos, PLC, Dunfermline, Scotland).

METHODS

Staphyloma was defined as an outpouching of the wall of the eye that had a radius of curvature less than the surrounding curvature of the wall of the eye. The presence and types of staphylomas were determined by the entire eye shape in 3D MRI scans. Fundus abnormalities suggesting the staphyloma border were analyzed in the fundus images, fundus autofluorescence images, and infrared images by Optos.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Incidence and types of posterior staphylomas, and the correlation between the type of staphyloma by MRI and the Optos images.

RESULTS

A total of 198 eyes (105 patients) met the inclusion criteria of pathologic myopia (mean age, 64.3±11.5 years; mean axial length, 30.0±2.3 mm). Among 198 eyes, 98 (49.5%) had no staphylomas in 3D MRI scans and showed a barrel-shaped globe. The other 100 eyes (50.5%) had posterior staphyloma by 3D MRI. The most predominant type was wide, macular staphyloma (74% of eyes with staphyloma), followed by narrow, macular staphyloma (14% of eyes with staphyloma). In eyes with peripapillary and nasal staphylomas, the change of the curvature was slight and the eye had a nasally distorted shape. Optos images showed pigmentary abnormalities or abnormal reflectance along the staphyloma border. The patients with staphylomas were significantly older and had significantly worse visual function and more frequent chorioretinal changes than patients without staphyloma.

CONCLUSIONS

Three-dimensional MRI was useful in analyzing the shape of eyes with and without staphyloma. Even in elderly individuals with severe myopia, approximately one half of the patients did not show clear outpouching suggesting staphyloma. Correlating the MRI data to Optos images provided useful information on the relationship between the eye shape and the fundus appearances in the Optos images.

Spectral domain optical coherence tomography analysis of macular changes in tilted disk syndrome

PURPOSE

To evaluate the prevalence of macular complications in tilted disk syndrome by spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT).

METHODS

A monocentric retrospective study of consecutive patients with tilted disk syndrome, whose eyes were examined by spectral domain OCT (Cirrus; Zeiss) and fundus photography.

RESULTS

Fifty consecutive patients (39 women and 11 men; age range, 41-96 years) with uni- or bilateral tilted disk syndrome were enrolled. All affected eyes (n = 92) were imaged by spectral domain OCT and fundus photography. Fluorescein and/or indocyanine green angiography were performed in 33 patients (66%). Macular anomalies or complications were observed in 71 eyes (77.1%). Specifically, retinal pigment epithelial changes were described in 34 eyes (36.9%), choroidal neovascularization in 24 eyes (26%), and macular serous retinal detachment in 16 eyes (17.3%). Epiretinal membrane in 9 eyes (9.7%), myopic foveoschisis in 5 eyes (5.4%), and lamellar macular hole in 3 eyes (3.2%) were also detected relatively frequently by spectral domain OCT. Surprisingly, fovea plana was observed in 5 eyes (5.4%). Eleven eyes, complicated by choroidal neovascularization, were treated with ranibizumab, with a mean visual gain of 7.9 letters on Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study chart.

CONCLUSION

Tilted disk syndrome can be associated with potentially severe macular complications. Spectral domain OCT allowed the recognition of additional macular changes associated with tilted disk syndrome, such as epiretinal membranes, myopic foveoschisis, and fovea plana.

Tilted optic disks

Tilted optic disks are a common finding in the general population. An expression of anomalous human development, the tilted disk appears rotated and tilted along its axes. Visual sequelae described with tilted optic disks include myopia, astigmatism, visual field loss, deficient color vision, and retinal abnormalities. Although the natural course of tilted optic disks is nonprogressive, the anomaly can be mistaken for tumors of the anterior visual pathway, edema of the optic nerve head, or glaucoma. A thorough examination of patients with tilted disk includes refraction, dilated fundus examination, and visual field testing. At times, neuroimaging may be necessary to arrive at the correct diagnosis. Until normative data are validated for tilted disks, the role of new imaging technologies for the optic nerve head is limited. Familiarity with the spectrum of ophthalmoscopic appearance and the clinical manifestations of tilted disks may be the most critical factors in avoiding misdiagnosis.

Tilted disc syndrome in Congolese patients

PURPOSE

To determine the frequency of tilted disc syndrome and its associations with ocular parameters in Congolese patients.

METHODS

We performed a cross-sectional and descriptive analysis of the data from patients diagnosed with tilted disc syndrome. Data were collected between January 2005 and August 2008 in a general ophthalmology practice. Patients received a complete ophthalmic examination that included measurement of visual acuity, refraction, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, Goldmann applanation tonometry, examination of the visual field using the Goldmann perimeter and ophthalmoscopy. The diagnosis of tilted disc syndrome was based on ophthalmoscopic findings and fundus photographs.

RESULTS

Out of 4600 patients seen during the study period, 30 (57 eyes) had a diagnosis of tilted disc syndrome, giving a frequency of 0.6%. The mean age of the patients was 42+/-15 years (SD) (range, 16-66 years). Twelve (40%) of the patients were men and 18 (60%) were women. TDS was bilateral in 95% of cases. Mean VA was 0.02+/-0.17 logMAR (range, 0.5 to-0.18). The refractions (in spherical equivalents) varied from -11.00 to +1.5 diopters (mean, -2.27+/-4.47 D). Refractive astigmatism varied from 0 D to 2.5 D (mean, 0.73+/-0.80 D). Myopia was found in 50% and astigmatism greater than 0.5 D in 42% of eyes. Mean intraocular pressure was 13.7+/-5mmHg. Superior temporal or temporal visual field defects were found in 75% of eyes. Of 30 patients with TDS, a 25-year-old female patient had TDS associated with oculocutaneous albinism, pseudoxanthoma elasticum, and epicanthus.

CONCLUSION

This study confirmed that TDS affects all ethnic populations and can also occur in the sub-Saharan region. It is found more in females and is associated with myopia. This study shows that TDS demonstrates similar findings to those found previously in Caucasians and Asians.

T-shaped pigmentary changes in tilted disk syndrome

PURPOSE

Many complications associated with tilted disk syndrome may occur in the area bordering on the inferior staphyloma, including macular pigmentary changes, choroidal neovascularization, macular serous retinal detachment, polypoidal choroidal vascular anomalies, and radially orientated chorioretinal folds. The purpose of the present article is to describe an additional complication, T-shaped pigmentary changes, orientated radially from the border of the inferior staphyloma, in eyes with tilted disk syndrome.

METHODS

Retrospective series of 6 eyes of 6 patients (3 men and 3 women) aged from 35 to 67 years. All eyes were studied by fluorescein angiography.

RESULTS

All 6 eyes exhibited pigmentary changes located along the border of the staphyloma, and also radially to it, giving a particular T-shaped pattern of pigmentary changes. These changes were visible as either a linear strip or a triangular or oval-shaped area. Three eyes had a documented history of subretinal leakage that mimicked central serous chorioretinopathy, a well-known complication of tilted disk syndrome.

CONCLUSIONS

T-shaped pigmentary changes may develop in the course of tilted disk syndrome, and should be added to the list of this syndrome's possible retinal complications. These changes may indicate the presence of chronic leakage in the area around the superior border of the inferior staphyloma.