VALIDATION OF THE RECENTLY DEVELOPED ATN CLASSIFICATION AND GRADING SYSTEM FOR MYOPIC MACULOPATHY

Outcomes of Cataract Surgery in Eyes With Axial Length > 33 mm

PURPOSE

To evaluate the visual outcomes and perioperative complications for cataract surgery in eyes with axial length (AL) >33.0 mm.

DESIGN

Prospective clinical cohort study.

METHODS

One hundred twenty-two eyes with moderate high myopia (26.0 mm ≤ AL < 28.0 mm, control group), and 118 eyes with extreme high myopia (AL > 33.0 mm, EHM group) were followed up after cataract surgery (1 week and 1 year post-op). Myopic maculopathy grading according to ATN system, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and complications were compared.

RESULTS

Postoperatively, BCVA in the EHM group improved significantly at both visits (both P < .001), despite being worse than that of the control group (both P < .05). The EHM group exhibited greater hyperopic refractive errors (P < .001), which were found to be associated with more severe T grade, longer AL, poorer second follow-up BCVA, and smaller anterior capsular opening (ACO) area. A higher incidence of retinal detachment and a more constricted ACO were observed in the EHM group (P = .030 and <.001, respectively), with the latter being significantly associated with longer AL and the absence of capsular tension ring (both P < .05). No difference in BCVA was found between the aphakic and pseudophakic eyes in the EHM group at both visits (both P > .05).

CONCLUSION

Cataract surgery improves vision of eyes with AL >33 mm, yet the increased risk of perioperative complications requires attention. Leaving these eyes aphakic might be effective and safe in the long term.

Choroidal Perfusion Changes After Vitrectomy for Myopic Traction Maculopathy

BACKGROUND

The choroidal vasculature supplies the outer retina and is altered in many retinal diseases, including myopic traction maculopathy (MTM). Choroid health is typically assessed by measuring the choroidal thickness; however, this method has substantial limitations. The choroidal vascularity index (CVI) was recently introduced to provide quantitative information on the vascular flow in the choroid. This index has been evaluated in a wide range of diseases but has not been extensively used to characterize MTM.

AIM

This study aimed to investigate the CVI across different stages of MTM and the influence of macular surgery on choroidal perfusion markers in different surgically resolved MTM stages.

METHODS

Eighteen healthy myopic eyes in the control group and forty-six MTM eyes in the surgical group were evaluated using enhanced optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging. Binarized OCT images were processed to obtain the luminal choroidal area (LCA) and stromal choroidal area (SCA), which were used to calculate CVI in the form of a percentage ratio. CVI data were collected at baseline, one and four months postoperatively, and at the final clinical visit. MTM eyes were divided into four stages based on disease severity. The choriocapillaris flow area (CFA) and central subfield thickness (CSFT) were measured along side the CVI.

RESULTS

No significant differences were observed between the two groups at baseline, except for visual acuity (p  < 0.0001). Surgery significantly improved vision at all postoperative time points (p  < 0.0001). At baseline, there were no significant differences in CVI, CFA, or CSFT scores between the control and surgical groups. However, all three measurements were lower at the final visit in the surgical group (p ≤0.0001). No significant differences were found in any of the parameters among the four stages of MTM (p  > 0.05). Ultimately, correlation and multivariate linear regression analyses did not reveal any significant association between CVI and visual acuity.

CONCLUSIONS

This study did not find significant preoperative differences in CVI between healthy myopic eyes and eyes with MTM. However, the postoperative CVI and CFA values were significantly lower than those of the control eyes. Thus, CVI may not be a good biomarker for surgical outcomes, as the correlation between CVI and visual acuity was not statistically significant.The CVI and CFA decreased after surgery, providing evidence of choroidal changes after surgical management.

Influence of posterior staphyloma in myopic maculopathy and visual prognosis

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Posterior staphyloma is a hallmark of high myopia and its presence associates to greater degrees of myopic maculopathy. Nonetheless, its development, repercussion on visual function and relationship with maculopathy components, is still unclear. The objective was to analyze the impact of posterior staphyloma on the incidence and severity of myopic maculopathy and its repercussion on visual prognosis.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

Cross-sectional study conducted on 473 consecutive eyes of 259 highly myopic patients examined at Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda University Hospital (Madrid, Spain). All patients underwent complete ophthalmologic examination including best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), axial length (AL), myopic maculopathy classification according to ATN system (atrophic/traction/neovascularization), determined the presence of posterior staphyloma, pathologic myopia (PM) and severe PM. Multimodal imaging were performed including fundus photography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), OCT-angiography, fundus autofluorescence and/ or fluorescein angiography.

RESULTS

Out of the total, 70.65% were female patients (n = 173/259), mean BCVA was 0.41 ± 0.54 logMAR units and mean AL was 29.3 ± 2.6 mm (26-37.6). Posterior staphyloma was present in 69.4% of eyes. Eyes with posterior staphyloma compared to non-staphyloma were older (p < 0.05), had greater AL (p < 0.01), worse BCVA (p < 0.01) and higher stage in ATN components (p < 0.01). Moreover, compound subgroup showed worse BCVA (p < 0.01) and greater stage in each of the ATN components (p < 0.01). Staphylomas with macular involvement presented worse BCVA (p < 0.01), higher AL (p < 0.01), and greater ATN (p < 0.05). The risk of posterior staphyloma presence in eyes with PM and severe PM eyes was 89.8% and 96.7%, respectively. Posterior staphyloma was the best predictor for BCVA in myopic patients (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Posterior staphyloma's presence determines high risk of myopic maculopathy and therefore worse visual prognosis, especially those with macular involvement. Posterior staphyloma represented the best predictor for BCVA in highly myopic patients.

Analysis of Bilaterality and Symmetry of Posterior Staphyloma in High Myopia

The purpose of this study was to examine bilaterality and symmetry of posterior staphyloma (PS) in high myopic eyes. Methods: This cross-sectional and non-interventional study assessed 473 high myopic eyes [axial length (AL) ≥ 26 mm] of 259 patients. Patients underwent an ophthalmological examination including multimodal-imaging and myopic maculopathy grading according to Atrophic/Tractional/Neovascular (ATN) system, presence and subtype of PS, and severe pathologic myopia (PM). Bilaterality of PS and subtype's symmetry between eyes of the same patient was assessed. Four groups were analyzed: (1) bilateral vs. unilateral PS's eyes. Within bilateral group, symmetric vs. asymmetric subtypes according to (2) Curtin's classification, (3) Ohno-Matsui's classification, and (4) primary/compound subtypes. Results: Out of the total, 334 myopic eyes of 167 patients were included. The 92.8% (n = 310/334) of the eyes presented PS and was bilateral in 85.6% (n = 143/167) of the patients. Bilateral eyes showed significantly (p < 0.01) greater AL, severe PM, A and N components vs. unilateral PS. AL-difference between both eyes was greater in unilateral PS (p < 0.01). Among bilateral PS, the subtype was symmetric in 79 (55.2%), 84 (58.7%), and 115 (80.4%) patients according to Curtin's classification, Ohno-Matsui's classification, and primary/compound; respectively. The asymmetric group presented worse best-corrected visual acuity (p < 0.01), higher AL (p < 0.01), incidence of PM, and severe PM (p < 0.05). Conclusions: PS was bilateral in most of the patients without clinical differences between both eyes, being symmetrical in more than half of bilateral cases. Patients with bilateral PS showed higher myopic maculopathy, AL, and incidence of severe PM than unilateral PS.

Surgical Outcomes of Myopic Foveoschisis According to the ATN Classification System

INTRODUCTION

This study compared the surgical outcomes in eyes with myopic foveoschisis (MF) according to the recently developed ATN classification system.

METHODS

This was an observational case series of 64 consecutive eyes that underwent vitrectomy for MF. Eyes were classified into severe myopic maculopathy (MM) (n = 43) and non-severe MM (n = 21) groups according to the ATN classification system. The primary outcome measures constituted best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and anatomical changes.

RESULTS

In total, BCVA improved from 0.97 to 0.53 (P < 0.001) after surgery. The ATN score was significantly lower in the eyes with vision improvement than those without vision improvement (P < 0.001). In the subgroup, BCVA improved from 0.79 to 0.28 in the non-severe MM group (P < 0.001), and improved from 1.05 to 0.65 in the severe MM group (P = 0.001) after surgery. The non-severe MM group achieved better postoperative BCVA (P = 0.001) and were more likely to gain vision improvement (P < 0.001) after surgery compared with the severe MM group. Anatomical success was achieved in 62 of the 64 eyes (96.88%). Two eyes with anatomical failure developed full-thickness macular holes postoperatively; both were in the severe MM group.

CONCLUSIONS

For patients with MF, different severity of MM based on ATN classification could lead to a significantly different prognosis after surgery. For patients with high ATN scores, the operative decision should be made cautiously for the worse anatomical and visual prognosis. ATN system is instructive in making operative proposals for MF.

Are we facing an increasing surgical demand for high myopic traction maculopathies? A 12-year study from Hong Kong

PURPOSE

We aimed to investigate the longitudinal change in the number of surgically operated myopic traction maculopathies (MTM) cases at a tertiary eye centre.

METHODS

A retrospective study of all consecutive cases of surgically operated MTM over 12 years (2009-2020) was conducted in a myopia prevalent region. We compared outcomes among three groups: (1) myopic macular hole (MH), (2) myopic macular hole with retinal detachment (MHRD), and (3) myopic foveoschisis with retinal detachment (MFRD).

RESULTS

Fifty-one cases were included in the study (8 cases of MH, 33 cases of MHRD and 10 cases of MFRD). The overall mean age was 63.8 +/- 8.7 with a female preponderance (2:1). The mean age of the MH group (58.6) was significantly younger than the MHRD group (64.2) and MFRD group (66.6) (p = 0.02). Subgroup analysis using ATN classification did not show its correlation with both visual improvement and anatomical success. When comparing the first 6-year period (2009-2014) with the second 6-year period (2015-2020), there was a significant increase in the number of cases (p = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

We observe an increase in the number of surgically operated MTM. This follows the trend of the global rise in the prevalence of myopia and baby boomers entering retirement.

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.

A curriculum learning-based fully automated system for quantification of the choroidal structure in highly myopic patients

Objective. An automated tool for choroidal segmentation and quantitative analysis under pathological conditions is currently lacking, hindering the exploration of choroidal structural changes in fundus diseases. This study aims to create a fully automated deep learning system for the quantitative analysis of the choroid with pathological changes, and to apply the system in analyzing the correlation between the choroidal structure and the severity of high myopia. Approach. A total of 2590 optical coherence tomography B-scan images of 1424 eyes of 1029 patients of high myopia from 3 hospitals were collected. We developed a curriculum learning-based system, including a two-stage U-net (TSU-net) and a post-process module for segmentation of the choroid, to calculate mean choroidal thickness (MCT) and choroidal vascularity index (CVI). The output of the images was statistically analyzed to explore the associations among MCT, CVI and the clinical characteristics of the patients. Main results. The Dice coefficient and IoU measures of choroid segmentation were 0.9221 and 0.8575, respectively. In a human-machine comparison, the system performed faster and better than a senior ophthalmologist. Statistical analysis demonstrated that, MCT is correlated with age, scan region, axial length, maculopathy type, and CVI, and CVI is correlated with scan region and MCT. Significance. A fully automated choroidal structural quantification system was developed. Clinical evaluation demonstrated that severity of high myopia is closely related to MCT but shows only a low correlation with CVI, suggesting that CVI may have little applicability in eyes with large anatomical structural variations. Future quantitative analysis of choroidal structure of large samples will enable exploration of the pathogenesis of additional fundus diseases.

Distribution and association of visual impairment with myopic maculopathy across age groups among highly myopic eyes - based on the new classification system (ATN)

Purpose

To investigate the percentages and risk factors for visual impairment (VI) across age groups in a highly myopic cohort with a wide range of age (18–93 years).

Methods

A total of 2099 eyes (1220 participants) were enrolled. All participants underwent detailed ocular examinations. Myopic maculopathy (MM) was assessed as myopic atrophy maculopathy (MAM), myopic traction maculopathy (MTM) or myopic neovascular maculopathy (MNM) based on the ATN system.

Results

Most participants younger than 50 years had normal vision, while the cumulative risk of VI and blindness gradually increased after 50–59 years. The percentage of each type of MM increased nonlinearly with ageing (all p < 0.001), with an accelerated period of increase after 45 years for MAM, and after 50 years for MTM and MNM. Axial length (AL) ≥30 mm was the only associated factor for mild VI or worse in participants aged 18–39 years (p < 0.001). Older age, AL ≥30 mm and the presence of MAM were predictors for mild VI or worse in the group aged 40–49 years (all p < 0.05). In participants aged ≥50 years, older age, female sex, longer AL and increased severity of MM were risk factors for VI and blindness (all p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The percentages of MM and related VI increased nonlinearly with older age, with a turning point at 45 years for MAM, preceding that of MTM, MNM and VI by 5 years, warranting future longitudinal studies to confirm. Different age groups presented different risk factors for VI. Timely screening should be in place for middle‐aged high myopes.

Long-term surgical outcomes and prognostic factors of foveal detachment in pathologic myopia: based on the ATN classification

BACKGROUND

To investigate the long-term surgical outcomes and prognostic factors of foveal detachment (FD) in pathological myopia.

METHODS

This retrospective observational study included 59 patients with FD (61 eyes) who underwent pars plana vitrectomy at Shanghai General Hospital between June 2017 and July 2018 with follow-up for at least 24 months. Comprehensive ophthalmic examinations, including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and swept-source optical coherence tomography, were assessed. Preoperative myopic maculopathy was evaluated according to the ATN classification.

RESULTS

FD completely resolved in 59 of 61 eyes (96.7%). Mean duration of retinal reattachment was 12.10 ± 8.10 months. Mean logMAR BCVA improved from 1.34 ± 0.52 to 0.83 ± 0.43 at 24 months postoperatively (P < 0.001). Secondary macular hole occurred in 8 eyes (13.1%) with a mean period of 3.4 ± 4.1 weeks after primary surgery. In regression analyses, baseline myopic atrophy maculopathy (MAM) (B = 0.213, P = 0.005) and vitreomacular traction (VMT) (B = 0.292, P = 0.007) were adverse prognostic factors for postoperative BCVA. A more severe MAM revealed a delay in retinal reattachment (B = 5.670, P = 0.002). FD eyes with VMT (OR = 1.309, P = 0.003) or outer lamellar macular hole (O-LMH) (OR = 1.369, P < 0.001) were risk factors for postoperative secondary macular hole.

CONCLUSIONS

Vitrectomy was effective in the long-term for treating FD. Careful consideration is needed for those with VMT or O-LMH due to the high risk of secondary macular hole after vitrectomy. FD eyes with more severe MAM tended to have poorer postoperative BCVA and extended periods of retinal reattachment.

Key Multimodal Fundus Imaging Findings to Recognize Multifocal Choroiditis in Patients With Pathological Myopia

Myopia represents a major socioeconomic burden with an increasing prevalence worldwide. Pathologic myopia refers to myopic patients with structural changes in the posterior pole including different patterns of chorioretinal atrophy, choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and vitreomacular tractional diseases. Multifocal choroiditis (MFC) is one of the most frequent noninfectious posterior uveitis, and epidemiologically typically affects young myopic females. Acute and chronic chorioretinal atrophic changes are the hallmark feature of MFC, with CNV developing in almost one third of cases. Thus, differentiation of inflammatory lesions due to MFC or neurodenegerative lesions due to pathologic myopic is key in order to establish a particular prognosis, follow-up schedule, and therapeutic approach. The aim of the present manuscript is to summarize and illustrate the main multimodal imaging features of these diseases.

Progression Patterns of Myopic Traction Maculopathy in the Fellow Eye After Pars Plana Vitrectomy of the Primary Eye

Purpose

This retrospective study investigated the patterns and risk factors of progression of myopic traction maculopathy (MTM) of fellow eyes after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) of primary eyes.

Methods

The study population comprised 153 patients with MTM in both myopic eyes who sequentially underwent PPV (2006–2021). Observation periods were from PPV of the primary eye (baseline) to PPV of the fellow (end). MTM was graded based on optical coherence tomography (OCT) images and the ATN (atrophy [A], traction [T], and neovascularization [N]) system. An increase in T grade was considered MTM progression.

Results

MTM progressed in 43.8% of fellow eyes during 34.57 ± 34.08 months. The progression of fellow eyes correlated with T grade of primary eyes (P < 0.001). Risk factors for the progression of MTM in fellow eyes were primary eyes in T4–T5, age at baseline <60 years, and fellow eyes with partial posterior vitreous detachment (PVD; P < 0.001, P = 0.042, and P = 0.002, respectively). Fellow eyes in T1/T2 at baseline progressed faster compared with those in T0 (P < 0.001); the annual rate of progression to T3–T5 of the T0 (T1–T2) groups was 9.98% (24.59%).

Conclusions

Risk factors for the progression of MTM in fellow eyes included PPV when relatively young, primary eye at high T grade, and partial PVD of the fellow eye. Personalized follow-up for fellow eyes should be based on the severity of MTM of both eyes.

CORRELATION BETWEEN ATROPHY-TRACTION-NEOVASCULARIZATION GRADE FOR MYOPIC MACULOPATHY AND CLINICAL SEVERITY

PURPOSE

To assess the reliability of the atrophy-traction-neovascularization (ATN) classification in patients with pathologic myopia (PM) and its correlation with best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA).

METHODS

Cross-sectional study. Hundred highly myopic eyes with a spherical equivalent of >-6.0 diopters or axial length of >26 mm and a total ATN score of ≥3 underwent a complete ophthalmological examination, including fundus photography and swept-source optical coherence tomography. Five observers graded each eye using the ATN system. Mean A, T, and N scores were calculated and correlated with age, BCVA (in logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution), and axial length. Patients were considered to present severe PM if either A or T components were ≥3 and/or N was ≥2.

RESULTS

Hundred eyes (53 left) from 91 patients (78 women) were classified. Mean age, BCVA, and axial length values were, respectively, 65.1 ± 11.7 years (range, 36-97 years), -0.63 ± 0.62 (-3.00 to 0.00), and 29.26 ± 2.7 mm (26.01-37.66 mm). Mean ATN grades for each component were as follows: A = 2.51 ± 0.78 (0.6-4.0), T = 0.88 ± 1.14 (0.0-5.0), and N = 1.31 ± 1.40 (0.0-3.0). Weighted interobserver agreement was 98.1%, 98.7%, and 94.6%, for A, T and N, respectively. In eyes with severe PM, BCVA was significantly lower and axial length was significantly longer.

CONCLUSION

The excellent interobserver rate in this study demonstrates that the updated ATN grading system is an accurate and reliable tool to classify patients with PM. These findings show that BCVA is more compromised in eyes with severe PM, particularly those graded ≥A3 and/or T3.

Pathologic myopia and severe pathologic myopia: correlation with axial length

Purpose

This study had three aims: (1) correlate axial length (AL), age and best-corrected visual acuity in high myopic patients scored on the ATN grading system; (2) determine AL cut-off values to distinguish between pathologic myopia (PM) and severe PM; and (3) identify clinical differences between PM and severe PM.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional, non-interventional study. All patients underwent complete ophthalmologic examination, ATN grading and multimodal imaging (colour fundus photography, swept-source OCT, fundus autofluorescence, OCT angiography and fluorescein angiography).

Results

Six hundred forty-four eyes from 345 high myopic patients were included. The eyes were graded on the ATN system and classified as PM (≥ A2) or severe PM (≥ A3, ≥ T3 and/or N2). Significant between-group (PM vs. severe PM) differences (p < 0.05) were observed on the individual ATN components (atrophic [A], tractional [T] and neovascular [N]), age, BCVA and AL. AL was also linearly correlated with the A, T and N components (r = 0.53, p < 0.01; r = 0.24, p < 0.01; r = 0.20, p < 0.01; respectively). ROC curve analysis showed the optimal AL cut-off value to distinguish between PM at 28 mm (AUC ROC curve: 0.813, specificity: 75%, sensitivity: 75%) and severe PM at 29.50 mm (AUC ROC curve: 0.760, specificity: 75%, sensitivity: 70%).

Conclusion

AL is the main variable associated with myopic maculopathy. Due to the clinical differences found between PM and severe PM, there is need to create an objective cut-off point to distinguish these two different entities being the optimal cut-off points for AL 28 mm and 29.5 mm, respectively. These objective AL cut-off values should be taken into account for determining a correct follow-up, ophthalmic management and treatment.

CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF EYES WITH DIFFERENT GRADES OF MYOPIC TRACTION MACULOPATHY: Based on the New Classification System

PURPOSE

To analyze clinical characteristics in eyes with myopic traction maculopathy (MTM).

METHODS

Nine hundred and ninety-one patients (1,334 eyes) with MTM, who visited Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center from January 2014 to December 2019, were involved. Myopic traction maculopathy was classified into six grades according to the new classification system: no macular schisis (T0), inner or outer foveoschisis (FS) (T1); inner and outer FS (T2), foveal detachment (T3), full-thickness macular hole (T4), and macular hole retinal detachment (T5).

RESULTS

Seven hundred and seventy-eight (58.32%) eyes were in T0, 157 (11.77%) in T1, 177 (13.27%) in T2, 129 (9.67%) in T3, 45 (3.37%) in T4, and 48 (3.67%) in T5. With the severity of MTM, age increased and the best-corrected visual acuity became worse (P < 0.001). However, no significant differences were found on spherical equivalent refraction or axial length among different grades of MTM (P > 0.05). Moreover, significant differences on best-corrected visual acuity, spherical equivalent refraction, axial length, and staphyloma rate existed between eyes with inner FS and eyes with outer FS (P < 0.01), but not between eyes with outer FS and eyes with both inner FS and outer FS (P > 0.05). Besides, significant differences were found on spherical equivalent refraction, axial length, and staphyloma rate between full-thickness macular hole with and without macular schisis (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Spherical equivalent refraction and axial length were not correlated with the severity of MTM in this cohort. It might be preferable to categorize eyes with outer FS and eyes with both inner FS and outer FS as a same grade. Potential difference in the pathogenesis between full-thickness macular hole with and without macular schisis might exist.

Intra- and interobserver concordance of a new classification system for myopic maculopathy

BACKGROUND

Myopic maculopathy (MM) is one of the major causes of visual impairment and irreversible blindness in eyes with pathologic myopia (PM). However, the classification of each type of lesion associated with MM has not been determined. Recently, a new MM classification system, known as the ATN grading and classification system, was proposed; it is based on the fundus photographs and optical coherence tomography (OCT) images and includes three variable components: atrophy (A), traction (T), and neovascularization (N). This study aimed to perform an independent evaluation of interobserver and intraobserver agreement for the recently developed ATN grading system for MM.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study. Fundus photographs and OCT images of 125 patients (226 eyes) with various MMs were evaluated and classified using the ATN grading of the new MM classification system by four blinded and independent evaluators (2 attending ophthalmologists and 2 ophthalmic residents). All cases were randomly re-evaluated by the same observers after an interval of 6 weeks. The kappa coefficient (κ) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to determine the interobserver and intraobserver agreement.

RESULTS

The interobserver agreement was substantial when considering the maculopathy type (A, T, and N). The weighted Fleiss κ values for each MM type (A, T, and N) were 0.651 (95% CI: 0.602-0.700), 0.734 (95% CI: 0.689-0.779), and 0.702 (95% CI: 0.649-0.755), respectively. The interobserver agreement when considering the subtypes was good or excellent, except for stages A1, A2, and N1, in which the weighted κ value was less than 0.6, with moderate agreement. The intraobserver agreement of types and subtypes was excellent, with κ > 0.8. No significant differences were observed between the attending ophthalmologists and residents for interobserver reliability or intraobserver reproducibility.

CONCLUSIONS

The ATN classification allows an adequate agreement among ophthalmologists with different qualifications and by the same observer on separate occasions. Future prospective studies should further evaluate whether this classification can be better implemented in clinical decision-making and disease progression assessments.