CORRELATION BETWEEN POSTERIOR STAPHYLOMA AND DOME-SHAPED MACULA IN HIGH MYOPIC EYES

Comparison of visual acuity outcome and choroidal thickness variation of intravitreal ranibizumab injection for myopic choroidal neovascularization with or without dome-shaped macula

BACKGROUND

To investigate the visual acuity outcome and choroid thickness (CT) change after intravitreal ranibizumab in highly myopic eyes with or without dome-shaped macula (DSM) in Chinese patients.

METHODS

This retrospective, observative study included 80 treatment-naive eyes (80 patients), which received ranibizumab according to the 1+PRN protocol. The best corrective visual acuity (BCVA) and CT change were compared between eyes with or without DSM.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between eyes with or without DSM in BCVA and central macular thickness (CMT). The recurrent rate was not different between the two groups during the first year of treatment. The CT was significantly thinner in eyes with DSM than in eyes without DSM before treatment (median 40.00um versus 71.00um), at 1 month after treatment (median 31.00um versus 65.50um), and in the last follow up (median, 32.00um versus 65.00um) (p = 0.0101). Axial length (AL) was longer in eyes with DSM than those without DSM (median, 29.17 mm versus 28.10 mm) before treatment, and in the last follow up (median, 29.44 mm versus 28.20 mm) (p = 0.0055). The CT was significantly correlated with AL (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

No difference was found in visual outcome between eyes with or without DSM. The visual acuity significantly improved at 1 month after ranibizumab injection and it was recovery sooner in extrafoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) group than in subfoveal CNV group. The CT was thinner in eyes with DSM, which was significantly correlated with AL.

The features of dome-shape Macula and related complications in high myopia on optical coherence tomography

PURPOSE

This study used optical coherence tomography scanning and 3D reconstruction of the macular region in high myopia to examine more thoroughly and carefully the differences between high myopia-related macular complications with and without dome-shape macula (DSM) and to determine whether the DSM's fine structure has an effect on them.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of the medical records of 345 eyes with high myopia who underwent an optical coherence tomography (OCT) examination. They were divided into the DSM group (69 eyes) and the group without DSM (276 eyes). Macular complications between the two groups were compared. The height of the DSM and the diameter of the dome base were measured. And then the association between DSM type, protrusion height and macular problems were analyzed.

RESULTS

Epiretinal membrane (ERM) and extrafoveal schisis occurred more frequently in the DSM group, but the was no statistically significant difference in the frequency of foveal schisis between the two groups. The majority of eyes in the DSM categorization had a horizontal oval-shaped domain. In the DSM group, there was no evident difference in the percentage of eyes with macular complications in the groups below 150 um and above 150 um.

CONCLUSIONS

OCT examination-based fine macular structure analysis reveals that DSM affects various macular problems in distinct ways. DSM could increase the risk of extrafoveal schisis and ERM while decreasing the risk of foveal schisis. The height of the DSM had no obvious impact on the prevalence of macular complications.

Evaluating the microcirculation of the dome-shaped macula and its complications in adults with highly myopic eyes by swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to investigate the microcirculatory characteristics of the dome-shaped macula (DSM), its complications in highly myopic eyes and to explore the factors associated with a DSM.

METHODS

This cross-sectional case-control study included a total of 98 subjects (98 eyes): 49 eyes with DSM and 49 eyes without DSM. The axial length (AL) of the myopic eyes was matched 1:1 to eliminate the effect of AL differences on the results. Choroidal (CT) and scleral thickness (ST) and other structural parameters were assessed by swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). OCT angiography was used to measure microcirculatory parameters in highly myopic eyes.

RESULTS

Subjects with DSM had thinner subfoveal choroidal thickness (46.01 ± 13.25 vs. 81.62 ± 48.26 μm; p < 0.001), thicker subfoveal scleral thickness (SFST; 331.93 ± 79.87 vs. 238.74 ± 70.96 μm; p < 0.001) and thinner foveal CT (66.86 ± 24.65 vs. 107.85 ± 52.65 μm; p < 0.001) compared to subjects without DSM. The foveal choroidal perfusion area (0.72 ± 0.04 vs. 0.76 ± 0.04 mm2; p < 0.001) and foveal choroidal vascularity index (0.15 ± 0.04 vs. 0.33 ± 0.14; p < 0.001) were significantly lower in eyes with DSM. Retinoschisis (81.6% vs. 38.8%; p < 0.001) was more common in eyes with DSM. Eyes with horizontal DSM had worse best-corrected logMAR visual acuity than eyes with round DSM (0.34 ± 0.22 vs. 0.23 ± 0.22; p = 0.03). DSM height (98.95 ± 65.17 vs. 104.63 ± 44.62 μm; p = 0.05) was lower in the horizontal DSM. SFST (OR = 1.06, p = 0.04) and foveal choroidal vascularity index (OR = 0.711, p = 0.02) were significantly associated with DSM. DSM width (p < 0.001), foveal choroidal perfusion area (p = 0.01), foveal choriocapillaris perfusion area (p = 0.02) and parafoveal choroidal vascularity index (p = 0.03) were the most significantly associated factors with DSM height.

CONCLUSIONS

The microcirculatory characteristics of eyes with DSM differed from those without DSM. Microcirculatory abnormalities were significantly associated with a DSM. The height of the DSM was associated with decreased blood perfusion.

Prevalence of Dome-Shaped Macula and Tilted Disc Syndrome in High Myopia

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Dome-shaped macula (DSM) and tilted disc syndrome (TDS) are two macular abnormalities that may occur in eyes with high myopia. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of both entities in our population.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was a prospective and observational study. Optical coherence tomography of the macula was performed in eyes with high myopia (spherical equivalent [SE] of -8D or greater) to assess the prevalence of DSM and TDS.

RESULTS

Sixty-eight eyes were included. Three eyes (4.41%) had DSM and 8 (11.76%) eyes had TDS. The most common macular anomaly was posterior staphyloma (PS) (12 [17.65%]). From the eyes with DSM (n = 3), only two presented PS. An older age and a higher SE were predisposing factors for PS (P = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

A lower prevalence of DSM and a higher prevalence of TDS was observed in our population compared to those reported in literature. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2023;54:568-572.].

Global trends and frontiers of research on pathologic myopia since the millennium: A bibliometric analysis

Background and purpose

Pathologic myopia (PM) is an international public health issue. This study aimed to analyze PM research trends by reporting on publication trends since 2000 and identifying influential journals, countries, authors, and keywords involved in PM.

Methods

A bibliometric analysis was performed to evaluate global production and development trends in PM since 2000 and the keywords associated with PM.

Results

A total of 1,435 publications were retrieved. PM has become a fascinating topic (with relative research interest ranging from 0.0018% in 2000 to 0.0044% in 2021) and a global public health issue. The top three countries with the highest number of publications were China, the USA, and Japan. The journals, authors, and institutions that published the most relevant literature came from these three countries. China exhibited the most rapid increase in the number of publications (from 0 in 2000 to 69 in 2021). Retina published the most papers on PM. Kyoko Ohno-Matsui and Tokyo Medical and Dental University contributed the most publications among authors and institutions, respectively. Based on keyword analysis, previous research emphasized myopic choroidal neovascularization and treatment, while recent hotspots include PM changes based on multimodal imaging, treatment, and pathogenesis. Keyword analysis also revealed that deep learning was the latest hotspot and has been used for the detection of PM.

Conclusion

Our results can help researchers understand the current status and future trends of PM. China, the USA, and Japan have the greatest influence, based on the number of publications, top journals, authors, and institutions. Current research on PM highlights the pathogenesis and application of novel technologies, including multimodal imaging and artificial intelligence.

Quantification and Predictors of OCT-Based Macular Curvature and Dome-Shaped Configuration: Results From the UK Biobank

Purpose

To investigate macular curvature, including the evaluation of potential associations and the dome-shaped macular configuration, given the increasing myopia prevalence and expected associated macular malformations.

Methods

The study included a total of 65,440 subjects with a mean age (± SD) of 57.3 ± 8.11 years with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) data from a unique contemporary resource for the study of health and disease that recruited more than half a million people in the United Kingdom (UK Biobank). A deep learning model was used to segment the retinal pigment epithelium. The macular curvature of the OCT scans was calculated by polynomial fit and evaluated. Further, associations with demographic, functional, ocular, and infancy factors were examined.

Results

The overall macular curvature values followed a Gaussian distribution with high inter-eye agreement. Although all of the investigated parameters, except maternal smoking, were associated with the curvature in a multilinear analysis, ethnicity and refractive error consistently revealed the most significant effect. The prevalence of a macular dome-shaped configuration was 4.8% overall, most commonly in Chinese subjects as well as hypermetropic eyes. An increasing frequency up to 22.0% was found toward high refractive error. Subretinal fluid was rarely found in these eyes.

Conclusions

Macular curvature revealed associations with demographic, functional, ocular, and infancy factors, as well as increasing prevalence of a dome-shaped macular configuration in high refractive error including high myopia and hypermetropia. These findings imply different pathophysiologic processes that lead to macular development and might open new fields to future myopia and macula research.

Advances in OCT Imaging in Myopia and Pathologic Myopia

Advances in imaging with optical coherence tomography (OCT) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) technology, including the development of swept source OCT/OCTA, widefield or ultra-widefield systems, have greatly improved the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of myopia and myopia-related complications. Anterior segment OCT is useful for imaging the anterior segment of myopes, providing the basis for implantable collamer lens optimization, or detecting intraocular lens decentration in high myopic patients. OCT has enhanced imaging of vitreous properties, and measurement of choroidal thickness in myopic eyes. Widefield OCT systems have greatly improved the visualization of peripheral retinal lesions and have enabled the evaluation of wide staphyloma and ocular curvature. Based on OCT imaging, a new classification system and guidelines for the management of myopic traction maculopathy have been proposed; different dome-shaped macula morphologies have been described; and myopia-related abnormalities in the optic nerve and peripapillary region have been demonstrated. OCTA can quantitatively evaluate the retinal microvasculature and choriocapillaris, which is useful for the early detection of myopic choroidal neovascularization and the evaluation of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy in these patients. In addition, the application of artificial intelligence in OCT/OCTA imaging in myopia has achieved promising results.

Pathologic myopia: advances in imaging and the potential role of artificial intelligence

Pathologic myopia is a severe form of myopia that can lead to permanent visual impairment. The recent global increase in the prevalence of myopia has been projected to lead to a higher incidence of pathologic myopia in the future. Thus, imaging myopic eyes to detect early pathological changes, or predict myopia progression to allow for early intervention, has become a key priority. Recent advances in optical coherence tomography (OCT) have contributed to the new grading system for myopic maculopathy and myopic traction maculopathy, which may improve phenotyping and thus, clinical management. Widefield fundus and OCT imaging has improved the detection of posterior staphyloma. Non-invasive OCT angiography has enabled depth-resolved imaging for myopic choroidal neovascularisation. Artificial intelligence (AI) has shown great performance in detecting pathologic myopia and the identification of myopia-associated complications. These advances in imaging with adjunctive AI analysis may lead to improvements in monitoring disease progression or guiding treatments. In this review, we provide an update on the classification of pathologic myopia, how imaging has improved clinical evaluation and management of myopia-associated complications, and the recent development of AI algorithms to aid the detection and classification of pathologic myopia.

Assessment of Scleral Contour Changes in High Myopia by Optical Coherence Tomography

Purpose

This study aimed to establish and validate optical coherence tomography (OCT) based diagnostic criteria of high myopia.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study including 100 eyes of high myopia with axial length larger than 26.5 mm and 100 control eyes, which were examined by spectral-domain OCT. Vertical and horizontal OCT of 9 mm scanning across fovea were analyzed. OCT characteristics including mirror artifact, scleral sink due to steep inclination of posterior sclera, scleral visibility, abnormality of outer retinal layer, foveoschisis, and dome-shaped macula were assessed in each group.

Results

The mean axial length was 28.65 ± 2.07 mm (range, 26.51–34.59 mm) in high myopia group and 23.79 ± 0.99 mm (range, 21.26–25.94 mm) in control group. Among the OCT characteristics noted at high frequency in the eyes with high myopia, three criteria achieving high sensitivity and specificity were determined: scleral sink over 500 μm, scleral visibility over 100 μm, and dome-shaped macula. Under conditions of presence of any of three criteria in either horizontal or vertical OCT scanning, the diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for high myopia were found to be 95.0%, 98.0%, 98.0%, and 95.1%, respectively. In a new set of OCT images from 50 eyes with high myopia and 50 eyes of nonhigh myopia cases, the OCT-based criteria also proved similar level of diagnostic validity.

Conclusions

The OCT-based criteria, which directly addressed posterior scleral contour changes, may lead to an intuitive and accurate diagnosis of high myopia. Also, the criteria may contribute to early detection and monitoring of eyes that cannot be defined as high myopia but can progress. OCT may be useful for monitoring high myopia patients as OCT can detect myopia-associated retinal pathologies as well as scleral contour changes.

IMI Pathologic Myopia

Pathologic myopia is a major cause of visual impairment worldwide. Pathologic myopia is distinctly different from high myopia. High myopia is a high degree of myopic refractive error, whereas pathologic myopia is defined by a presence of typical complications in the fundus (posterior staphyloma or myopic maculopathy equal to or more serious than diffuse choroidal atrophy). Pathologic myopia often occurs in eyes with high myopia, however its complications especially posterior staphyloma can also occur in eyes without high myopia.

Owing to a recent advance in ocular imaging, an objective and accurate diagnosis of pathologic myopia has become possible. Especially, optical coherence tomography has revealed novel lesions like dome-shaped macula and myopic traction maculopathy. Wide-field optical coherence tomography has succeeded in visualizing the entire extent of large staphylomas. The effectiveness of new therapies for complications have been shown, such as anti-VEGF therapies for myopic macular neovascularization and vitreoretinal surgery for myopic traction maculopathy.

Myopia, especially childhood myopia, has been increasing rapidly in the world. In parallel with an increase in myopia, the prevalence of high myopia has also been increasing. However, it remains unclear whether or not pathologic myopia will increase in parallel with an increase of myopia itself. In addition, it has remained unclear whether genes responsible for pathologic myopia are the same as those for myopia in general, or whether pathologic myopia is genetically different from other myopia.

Evolution of Dome-shaped Macula Is Due to Differential Elongation of the Eye Predominant in the Peri-dome Region

PURPOSE

To determine the mechanism behind macular bulge height increase in eyes with dome-shaped macula (DSM).

DESIGN

Retrospective, observational case series.

METHODS

Eyes presenting with DSM followed up for a minimum of 1 year were examined using ocular biometry and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography at baseline and at end of follow-up. Axial length (AL), DSM bulge height, and central and peripheral choroidal thickness (nasal, temporal, superior, and inferior quadrants) were reported. Eyes were categorized into 2 groups for comparison: the "mini-DSM" group (DSM < 100 μm) and the "classic" DSM group (DSM > 100 μm).

RESULTS

Fifty-eight eyes (33 patients) were studied: 32 (55%) were classic DSM and 26 (45%) mini-DSM. During the mean follow-up of 51.76 ± 36.01 months, mean AL increased from 26.99 ± 2.94 mm to 27.12 ± 3.09 mm (P = .010) and mean macular bulge height increased from 235.88 ± 282.47 μm to 262.34 ± 317.15 μm (P < .001). DSM height change was significantly higher than AL change (P < .001). Mean peripheral choroidal thickness significantly decreased nasally (P = .008), temporally (P = .026), and inferiorly (P < .001). Mini-DSM eyes exhibited shorter AL (26.17 vs 27.66 mm; P = .027), greater visual acuity (0.169 vs 0.437 logMAR; P = .002), and fewer macular complications compared to classic DSM eyes.

CONCLUSIONS

Macular bulge increase in DSM is associated with eye elongation and overall thinning of the peripheral choroid. DSM might result from differential elongation of the eye predominant in the peri-dome region. Mini-DSM (ie, inferior to 100 μm) are characterized by slower evolution, better visual prognosis, and fewer complications compared to "classic" DSM.

Dome-shaped macula-Review of literature

Dome-shaped macula is a convex retinochoroidal elevation within the region of a posterior staphyloma seen commonly in high myopia on optical coherence tomography. With growing awareness of the condition facilitated by inclusion of optical coherence tomography in routine retinal practice, coupled with evolution of enhanced depth optical coherence tomography imaging, multiple studies have attempted to shed light on pathogenesis of this complex pathology, its clinical implications, and treatment of associated complications such as serous macular detachment and choroidal neovascularization with variable success. Our review aims to assimilate, scrutinize, and discuss the available literature for a comprehensive insight into dome-shaped macula.