Effectiveness of prophylactic capsular tension ring implantation during cataract surgery in highly myopic eyes.

PURPOSE: To assess the effectiveness of prophylactic capsular tension ring (CTR) implantation during cataract surgery in highly myopic eyes. SETTING: Eye and Ear, Nose, and Throat Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. METHODS: Consecutive highly myopic patients treated with cataract surgery were recruited and randomized to undergo CTR implantation or not. The outcomes compared between the 2 groups included axial lens position (ALP), intraocular lens (IOL) decentration and tilt, area of anterior capsule opening, severity of anterior capsular opacification (ACO), and posterior capsular opacification (PCO) at 1 year postoperatively. RESULTS: A total of 55 highly myopic eyes with CTRs implanted and 55 without were included in the analysis. At 1 year postoperatively, no significant differences were detected between the CTR and non-CTR groups for the mean ALP, IOL decentration, or tilt (all P > .05). However, the CTR group had a significantly larger area of anterior capsule opening (23.62 ± 3.30 mm2 vs 21.85 ± 2.30 mm2, P = .003), and less severe ACO (P = .033) and PCO (PCO-3 mm: 0.06 ± 0.13 vs 0.13 ± 0.20, P = .038; PCO-C: 0.15 ± 0.18 vs 0.25 ± 0.26, P = .026) than the non-CTR group. The corrected distance visual acuity, prediction error, and higher-order aberrations did not differ between the 2 groups (all P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: In highly myopic eyes, although prophylactic CTR implantation can reduce the severity of capsular contraction and opacification, it does not significantly affect postoperative IOL stability or visual outcomes.

Comparison of long-term changes in the effective optical zone following SMILE and FS-LASIK for moderate and high myopia.

BACKGROUND: Visual quality after corneal refractive surgery is linked to the postoperative effective optical zone (EOZ). This study aims to compare long-term changes in the EOZ following small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) and femtosecond laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK) for moderate and high myopia. METHODS: This study included 42 patients (72 eyes) who underwent either SMILE (36 eyes) or FS-LASIK (36 eyes). A custom software program based on the tangential curvature difference map of the Pentacam HR (Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH) was used to define the EOZ at 3 and 7 years postoperatively. The EOZ, its chronological changes compared to the programmed optical zone (POZ), and the corneal wavefront aberrations following SMILE and FS-LASIK were analyzed. Correlations between the EOZ changes and relevant parameters were evaluated. RESULTS: Three years postoperatively, EOZ following SMILE and FS-LASIK were 5.13 ± 0.27 mm and 4.70 ± 0.24 mm (P < 0.001), respectively. Seven years postoperatively, EOZ following SMILE and FS-LASIK decreased to 5.03 ± 0.28 mm and 4.63 ± 0.23 mm (P < 0.001), respectively. At postoperative 7 years, the percentages of EOZ/POZ were negatively correlated with Q-value changes (ß = -5.120, P = 0.009) following SMILE and positively correlated with the cylinder correction (ß = 1.184, P = 0.004) following FS-LASIK. The induced spherical aberrations in the SMILE group were less than those in the FS-LASIK group (P < 0.05) and were negatively correlated with the EOZ/POZ (ß = -16.653, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The EOZ following SMILE was larger than that following FS-LASIK in the long postoperative term for moderate and high myopia. Furthermore, a continual reduction in the EOZ was noted after both surgical modalities.

A Novel Artificial Intelligence-Based Classification of Highly Myopic Eyes Based on Visual Function and Fundus Features.

Purpose: To develop a novel classification of highly myopic eyes using artificial intelligence (AI) and investigate its relationship with contrast sensitivity function (CSF) and fundus features. Methods: We enrolled 616 highly myopic eyes of 616 patients. CSF was measured using the quantitative CSF method. Myopic macular degeneration (MMD) was graded according to the International META-PM Classification. Thickness of the macula and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (p-RNFL) were assessed by fundus photography and optical coherence tomography, respectively. Classification was performed by combining CSF and fundus features with principal component analysis and k-means clustering. Results: With 83.35% total variance explained, highly myopic eyes were classified into four AI categories. The percentages of AI categories 1 to 4 were 14.9%, 37.5%, 36.2%, and 11.4%, respectively. Contrast acuity of the eyes in AI category 1 was the highest, which decreased by half in AI category 2. For AI categories 2 to 4, every increase in category led to a decrease of 0.23 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution in contrast acuity. Compared with those in AI category 1, eyes in AI category 2 presented a higher percentage of MMD2 and thinner temporal p-RNFL. Eyes in AI categories 3 and 4 presented significantly higher percentage of MMD ≥ 3, thinner nasal macular thickness and p-RNFL (P < 0.05). Multivariate regression showed AI category 4 had higher MMD grades and thinner macular compared with AI category 3. Conclusions: We proposed an AI-based classification of highly myopic eyes with clear relevance to visual function and fundus features. Translational Relevance: This classification helps to discover the early hidden visual deficits of highly myopic patients, becoming a useful tool to evaluate the disease comprehensively.

Severe intraocular pressure rise after implantable collamer lens implantation.

A 22-year-old woman with a history of high myopia (-8.00 -3.75 × 011, right eye; -6.75 -3.75 × 174, left eye) presented to our clinic for implantable collamer lens (ICL) evaluation. Medical history was noncontributory. The patient's father had a history of glaucoma. Slitlamp and dilated fundus examination were unremarkable with a cup-to-disc ratio of 0.5 in both eyes and a myopic fundus. Intraocular pressures (IOPs) were 20 mm Hg in the right eye and 19 mm Hg in the left eye. Galilei G4 (Ziemer USA, Inc.) measured a white-to-white (WTW) distance of 12.98 mm in the right eye and 13.05 mm in the left eye and central corneal thickness of 512 µm in the right eye and 504 µm in the left eye. Ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) (Sonomed Escalon) displayed a sulcus-to-sulcus distance of 12.76 mm in the right eye and 12.75 mm in the left eye and an anterior chamber depth (ACD) of 3.57 mm in the right eye and 3.79 mm in the left eye (Figure 1JOURNAL/jcrs/04.03/02158034-202409000-00014/figure1/v/2024-08-19T175148Z/r/image-tiff). Prednisolone acetate 0.1% ophthalmic suspension eye drops and ofloxacin 0.3% ophthalmic solution eye drops 4 times daily were prescribed prophylactically 2 days preoperatively. A -12.5 and -12 D EVO+ Visian toric ICL -13.2 mm (STAAR Surgical Co.) was implanted along the 180-degree meridian in the right eye and left eye, respectively. Immediate postoperative IOPs were 23 mm Hg in both eyes. The patient was instructed to continue ofloxacin drops for 1 week and taper prednisolone acetate drops over 1 month. On postoperative day (POD) 1, uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) was 20/20 in the right eye and 20/25 in the left eye. The patient's IOP was 24 mm Hg in the right eye and 26 mm Hg in the left eye. Anterior chambers (ACs) were unremarkable with minimal edema at the clear temporal corneal incision sites. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) vault measurements were 766 µm in the right eye and 697 µm in the left eye. Subsequently, the prednisolone dosage was reduced to 3 times a day, and brimonidine eye drops 3 times a day in both eyes were added to the regimen. On POD 5, the patient returned to the clinic reporting sudden-onset blurred vision with severe retro-orbital pain in the left eye upon awakening. Her UDVA was 20/25 in the right eye and 2/40 in the left eye. IOP was 30 mm Hg in both eyes. The ACs were deep, and there was minimal corneal edema in both eyes. Vaults were 674 µm in the right eye and 623 µm in the left eye (Figure 2JOURNAL/jcrs/04.03/02158034-202409000-00014/figure2/v/2024-08-19T175148Z/r/image-tiff). The patient was instructed to reduce prednisolone to 2 times a day, discontinue brimonidine, and start brimonidine/timolol (Combigan) 2 times a day and latanoprost at bedtime in both eyes. At the routine 1-week postoperative appointment, the patient's IOP was 30 mm Hg in the right eye and 29 mm Hg in the left eye. The patient was instructed to reduce prednisolone to once a day, continue brimonidine/timolol 2 times a day and latanoprost at bedtime, and start acetazolamide (Diamox) 250 mg 2 times a day. The patient was told to return to the office in a few days for an IOP check. What are the differential diagnoses concerning this case? What is the most likely mechanism underlying this patient's elevated IOP? What additional diagnostic workup would aid you in making the correct diagnosis?

Choroidal Changes During and After Discontinuing Long-Term 0.01% Atropine Treatment for Myopia Control.

Purpose: Few studies have explored choroidal changes after cessation of myopia control. This study evaluated the choroidal thickness (ChT) and choroidal vascularity index (CVI) during and after discontinuing long-term low-concentration atropine eye drops use for myopia control. Methods: Children with progressive myopia (6-16 years; n = 153) were randomized to receive 0.01% atropine eye drops or a placebo (2:1 ratio) instilled daily over 2 years, followed by a 1-year washout (no eye drop use). Optical coherence tomography imaging of the choroid was conducted at the baseline, 2-year (end of treatment phase), and 3-year (end of washout phase) visits. The main outcome measure was the subfoveal ChT. Secondary measures include the CVI. Results: During the treatment phase, the subfoveal choroids in both treatment and control groups thickened by 12-14 µm (group difference P = 0.56). During the washout phase, the subfoveal choroids in the placebo group continued to thicken by 6.6 µm (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.7 to 11.6), but those in the atropine group did not change (estimate = -0.04 µm; 95% CI = -3.2 to 3.1). Participants with good axial eye growth control had greater choroidal thickening than the fast-progressors during the treatment phase regardless of the treatment group (P < 0.001), but choroidal thickening in the atropine group's fast-progressors was not sustained after stopping eye drops. CVI decreased in both groups during the treatment phase, but increased in the placebo group after treatment cessation. Conclusions: On average, compared to placebo, 0.01% atropine eye drop treatment did not cause a differential rate of change in ChT during treatment, but abrupt cessation of long-term 0.01% atropine eye drops may disrupt normal choroidal thickening in children.

Choroidal Vascularity and Axial Length Elongation in Highly Myopic Children: A 2-Year Longitudinal Investigation.

Purpose: To examine the influence of subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) and choroidal vascularity index (CVI) on axial length (AL) elongation over a 2-year period in highly myopic children. Methods: In this is prospective, longitudinal, observational study, 163 participants (74%), who were 8 to 18 years of age with bilateral high myopia (sphere ≤ -6.0 D) and without pathologic myopia, completed follow-up visits over 2 years. All participants underwent baseline and follow-up ocular examinations, including swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) and AL measurements. SFCT and CVI were derived from SS-OCT scans using a deep-learning-based program for choroidal structure assessment. Results: The mean age of the participants at baseline was 15.0 years (±2.3), with males constituting 47% of the cohort. An inverse relationship was observed between AL elongation and increases in baseline age, baseline SFCT, and CVI, as well as a decrease in baseline AL. Adjusting for other factors, every 10-µm increase in SFCT and each 1% increase in CVI were associated with decreases in AL elongation of 0.007 mm (95% confidence interval [CI], -0.013 to -0.002; P = 0.011) and 0.010 mm (95% CI, -0.019 to 0.000; P = 0.050), respectively. The incorporation of SFCT or CVI into predictive models improved discrimination over models using only age, gender, and baseline AL (both P < 0.05, likelihood ratio test). Conclusions: Our findings suggest a possible association between a thinner choroid and increased AL elongation over 2 years in children with high myopia, after adjusting for potential baseline risk factors such as age, gender, and initial AL.

VISION AND METAMORPHOPSIA OUTCOMES OF MACULAR BUCKLING FOR FOVEOSCHISIS-ASSOCIATED MACULAR DETACHMENT IN HIGHLY MYOPIC EYES.

PURPOSE: To assess the functional outcomes in visual acuity, metamorphopsia, and vision-related quality of life (VR-QOL) and to evaluate prognostic factors after macular buckling (MB) surgery in eyes with high myopia and foveoschisis (FS)-associated macular detachment (MD). METHODS: Thirty-nine eyes of 39 patients with FS-associated MD who underwent MB surgery were enrolled. Measured outcomes comprised best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), metamorphopsia, VR-QOL, axial length (AL), macular reattachment, and resolution of foveoschisis. In addition, factors affecting final BCVA and metamorphopsia were analyzed. RESULTS: At 12 months postoperatively, 36 eyes (92.31%) achieved macular reattachment, 37 eyes (94.87%) achieved complete resolution of foveoschisis, and metamorphopsia diminished in 31 eyes (79.49%). LogMAR BCVAs at baseline and months 1, 3, 6, and 12 postoperatively were 0.62 ± 0.35 (20/83), 0.65 ± 0.3 (20/89), 0.59 ± 0.31 (20/77), 0.54 ± 0.31 (20/69), and 0.46 ± 0.27 (20/57) (P < 0.001), respectively. Metamorphopsia scores by M-CHARTS were 1.36° ± 0.51°, 1.04° ± 0.51°, 0.74° ± 0.47°, 0.59° ± 0.47°, and 0.13° ± 0.29° (P < 0.001). All Visual Function Questionnaire-25 subscales demonstrated significant improvement postoperatively, with the exception of "general health" (P = 0.08) and "driving" (P = 0.111). Preoperative BCVA was an independent risk factor for postoperative BCVA at month 12 (r = 0.638, P < 0.001), and the preoperative M-score was an independent risk factor for postoperative M-score at month 12 (r = 0.187, P = 0.045). CONCLUSION: MB surgery significantly improved BCVA, metamorphopsia, and VR-QOL in patients with FS-associated MD. Preoperative BCVA and metamorphopsia score were prognostic factors for postoperative BCVA and metamorphopsia score at month 12.

Inverted flap technique versus internal limiting membrane insertion for macular hole in eyes with extremely high myopia.

BACKGROUND: To compare the surgical outcomes of the inverted internal limiting membrane (ILM) flap technique and ILM insertion for macular hole (MH) without retinal detachment in eyes with extremely high myopia. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we analyzed 22 eyes with an axial length ≥ 30.0 mm that had underwent MH surgery between April 2015 and August 2021. The surgical procedures involved either an inverted ILM flap or ILM insertion. The outcomes were compared between the two techniques. Closure of the MH was confirmed by optical coherence tomography (OCT). The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was measured before and after surgery. Associated complications were documented. RESULTS: The median of axial length was 30.64 mm (range, 30.0-34.42). The MH closed in 100% (22/22) eyes and did not recur with a median follow-up of 12.5 months. For the inverted ILM flap technique, the median BCVA improved significantly from 0.80 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) (range, 0.40-2.00) before surgery to 0.70 logMAR (range, 0.09-1.52) after surgery (p = 0.002). In addition, the median of final BCVA was better for the inverted ILM flap than ILM insertion (0.7 logMAR V.S. 1.00 logMAR; p = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: In eyes with extremely high myopia, despite comparable effects on MH closure for both ILM insertion and the inverted ILM flap, the later technique achieved significantly better visual outcomes.

Efficacy of pars plana vitrectomy combined with internal limiting membrane peeling and gas tamponade for treating myopic foveoschisis: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate and explore the efficacy of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) combined with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling and gas tamponade in treating myopic foveoschisis (MF) through a meta-analysis. METHODS: Systematic searches were conducted on the PubMed, Web of Science and National Library of Medicine (NLM) English-language databases and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Wanfang Chinese-language databases. The primary outcome measures were postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central foveal thickness (CFT), with the secondary outcome being the postoperative complication rate. Data analysis was performed using RevMan5.3 software. RESULTS: A total of 10 studies involving 234 eyes were included. The meta-analysis results showed the following: (1) The average postoperative BCVA improved compared with preoperative levels, with an average improvement in the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution of 0.40, a statistically significant difference (95% CI: -0.44, - 0.20, p < 0.001); (2) the rate of postoperative BCVA improvement was 77% (95% CI: 65%, 90%, p < 0.001); (3) the postoperative CFT significantly decreased by an average of 385.92 µm, a statistically significant difference (95% CI: -437.85, - 333.98, p < 0.001); (4) the postoperative macular retinal complete reattachment rate was 90% (95% CI: 83%, 97%, p < 0.001); (5) the most common postoperative complication was a cataract, with an incidence of 55.9%. CONCLUSION: Using PPV combined with ILM peeling and gas tamponade to treat MF is reliable.

Choroidal vascularity features of fundus tessellation in adults with high myopia.

BACKGROUND: To investigate alterations in choroidal vascularity index among highly myopic adults with fundus tessellation, utilizing optical coherence tomography. METHODS: Total of 143 highly myopic adults (234 eyes) with fundus tessellation were collected in this cross-sectional study, which was stratified into different lesion groups based on the novel tessellated fundus classification. Subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT), choroidal luminal area (LA), stromal area (SA), total choroidal area (TCA), and choroidal vascularity index (CVI) were analyzed utilizing optical coherence tomography (OCT) with enhanced depth imaging (EDI) mode, enabling precise quantification of these parameters. RESULTS: Comparison analysis demonstrated notable distinctions in spherical equivalent (SE), axial length (AL), and SFCT across the four tessellation grades (p < 0.001). Analysis of the choroidal vascularity parameters, including LA, TCA, and CVI, demonstrated notable disparities across the four groups (p < 0.001), while no significant variations were observed in SA when comparing Grade 1 versus Grade 2, as well as Grade 2 versus Grade 3 (p > 0.05). Logistic regression analyses illustrated that the higher grade of tessellated exhibited a positive association with AL (OR = 1.701, p = 0.027), while negatively associated with SFCT (OR = 0.416, p = 0.007), LA (OR = 0.438, p = 0.010) and CVI (OR = 0.529, p = 0.004). Multiple regression analyses demonstrated a significant negative association between CVI and both SE and AL after adjusting for age, while positively associated with SFCT (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Subtle choroidal vascularity changes may have a meaningful contribution to the development and progression of fundus tessellation. CVI and LA dramatically decreased during the early stages of tessellation development and maintained a relatively stable status when in the severe tessellated grades.

Comparison of Objective Visual Quality Following SMILE and SmartPulse Technology-Assisted TransPRK at a 1,050-Hz Ablation Frequency for Moderate-to-High Myopia.

PURPOSE: To compare the objective visual quality of moderate-to-high myopia corrected by small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) and transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy (TransPRK) at a 1,050-Hz ablation frequency, assisted by Smart-Pulse technology (SCHWIND eye-tech-solutions). METHODS: This study involved 123 patients (123 eyes) with moderate-to-high myopia between July 2020 and January 2021. They were categorized into the SMILE group (67 patients, 67 eyes) and the TransPRK group (56 patients, 56 eyes). Follow-ups were conducted at 6 months postoperatively to record the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution visual acuity, and the Strehl ratio and higher order aberrations were measured using the Sirius anterior segment analysis device (SCHWIND eye-tech-solutions) under a 6-mm pupil diameter at various postoperative intervals. RESULTS: At 1 week and 1 month postoperatively, the uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) in the SMILE group was superior to that in the TransPRK group (P < .05 for both). At 1 week and 1 month postoperatively, the Strehl ratio value in the SMILE group was higher than that in the TransPRK group (P < .05 for both). At 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively, coma was greater in the SMILE group than in the TransPRK group (P < .05 for all). Spherical aberrations were lower in the SMILE group than in the TransPRK group at 3 and 6 months postoperatively (P < .05). At 6 months postoperatively, UDVA was -0.09 ± 0.08 and -0.11 ± 0.05 logMAR in the SMILE and TransPRK groups, respectively, which exceeded their preoperative corrected distance visual acuity of -0.05 ± 0.04 and -0.09 ± 0.08 logMAR (all P < .001). Compared with preoperative values, the Strehl ratio, total higher order, coma, and spherical aberration differences were significantly increased postoperatively in both groups (all P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Both surgical methods improved UDVA and each had its advantages. The visual quality of SMILE was superior at 1 week and 1 month postoperatively (Strehl ratio values were higher than those of the TransPRK group), and its spherical aberration was lower than that of the TransPRK group at 3 and 6 months; TransPRK with SmartPulse technology with a 1,050-Hz ablation frequency showed that coma was significantly lower than that of the SMILE group at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. [J Refract Surg. 2024;40(7):e490-e498.].

Analyzing the topological properties of resting-state brain function network connectivity based on graph theoretical methods in patients with high myopia.

AIM: Recent imaging studies have found significant abnormalities in the brain's functional or structural connectivity among patients with high myopia (HM), indicating a heightened risk of cognitive impairment and other behavioral changes. However, there is a lack of research on the topological characteristics and connectivity changes of the functional networks in HM patients. In this study, we employed graph theoretical analysis to investigate the topological structure and regional connectivity of the brain function network in HM patients. METHODS: We conducted rs-fMRI scans on 82 individuals with HM and 59 healthy controls (HC), ensuring that the two groups were matched for age and education level. Through graph theoretical analysis, we studied the topological structure of whole-brain functional networks among participants, exploring the topological properties and differences between the two groups. RESULTS: In the range of 0.05 to 0.50 of sparsity, both groups demonstrated a small-world architecture of the brain network. Compared to the control group, HM patients showed significantly lower values of normalized clustering coefficient (γ) (P = 0.0101) and small-worldness (σ) (P = 0.0168). Additionally, the HM group showed lower nodal centrality in the right Amygdala (P < 0.001, Bonferroni-corrected). Notably, there is an increase in functional connectivity (FC) between the saliency network (SN) and Sensorimotor Network (SMN) in the HM group, while the strength of FC between the basal ganglia is relatively weaker (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: HM Patients exhibit reduced small-world characteristics in their brain networks, with significant drops in γ and σ values indicating weakened global interregional information transfer ability. Not only that, the topological properties of the amygdala nodes in HM patients significantly decline, indicating dysfunction within the brain network. In addition, there are abnormalities in the FC between the SN, SMN, and basal ganglia networks in HM patients, which is related to attention regulation, motor impairment, emotions, and cognitive performance. These findings may provide a new mechanism for central pathology in HM patients.

Nasal loop myopexy for management of exotropia-hypotropia complex associated with high myopia.

INTRODUCTION: Exotropia-hypotropia complex is an uncommon phenomenon associated with high myopia. However, some literature reports cases of the exotropia-hypotropia complex where residual hypotropia is managed through a secondary surgery following the conventional recession-resection of the lateral rectus (LR) and medial rectus (MR). Nasal Loop myopexy as a primary surgical procedure for the management of exotropia-hypotropia complex has been rarely reported in the literature. METHODS: A 24-year-old male with unilateral high myopia presented with a large angle exotropia-hypotropia complex with limitation of elevation in abduction in his left eye. His ocular deviation was successfully managed through a nasal loop myopexy of the superior rectus (SR) and MR using a non-absorbable suture, combined with large LR recession and MR resection. RESULTS: Postoperatively, the patient had satisfactory ocular alignment with improved hypotropia and normal elevation in abduction, contributing to enhanced binocular vision and better cosmesis. DISCUSSION: Managing the exotropia-hypotropia complex in the context of high myopia demands a comprehensive approach that addresses both vertical and horizontal deviations. The surgical strategy employed in this case, which included loop myopexy of SR and MR along with LR recession and MR resection, achieved positive outcomes regarding alignment, elevation, and binocular vision. The case supports variations in muscle path and the potential benefits of tailored surgical strategies for complex strabismus cases associated with high myopia.

Bruch's Membrane Opening Changes in Eyes With Myopic Macular Degeneration: AIER-SERI Adult High Myopia Study.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the choroidal thickness and the Bruch's membrane opening size and their relationship to visual acuity in eyes with myopic macular degeneration (MMD). Methods: This was a population-based, cross-sectional study. Patients over the age of 30 years with high myopia (spherical equivalent ≤-5 diopters [D]) were recruited. The eyes were grouped according to the International Meta-Analysis for Pathologic Myopia (META-PM) classification based on fundus photographs and diffuse atrophy was subdivided into peripapillary diffuse choroidal atrophy (PDCA) or macular diffuse choroidal atrophy (MDCA). Swept-source optical coherence tomography imaging was performed and then the subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) and Bruch's membrane opening diameter (BMOD) were measured. Results: Of the 470 study participants recruited, 373 patients (691 eyes), with a mean age of 42.8 ± 7.2 years, were eligible for the study and included in the analysis. There was no significant difference in SFCT between MDCA and patchy atrophy (M3) groups (P = 1.000), and the BMOD enlarged significantly from no myopic macular lesions to M3 (the P values of multiple comparison tests were all <0.005). Simple linear regression analysis showed that BMOD correlated positively with age (P < 0.001) and axial length (P < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was significantly correlated with age (P = 0.041), axial length (P = 0.001), and BMOD (P = 0.017), but not with SFCT (P = 0.231). Conclusions: The significant variation of BMOD among MMD groups and the correlation between BMOD and BCVA in MMD eyes suggest that BMOD may be an imaging biomarker for monitoring MMD.

Advancements in Myopic Macular Foveoschisis Research.

BACKGROUND: Presently, the global prevalence of myopia and high myopia reaches approximately 1.95 billion and 277 million individuals, respectively. Projections suggest that by 2050, the number of people with myopia may rise to 4.758 billion and those with high myopia to 938 million. In highly myopic eyes, the occurrence of MF is reported to be as high as 8-33%. SUMMARY: This review comprehensively addresses the classification, pathogenesis, natural progression, concomitant pathologies, and therapeutic strategies for macular foveoschisis in highly myopic patients. KEY MESSAGES: In recent years, macular foveoschisis has emerged as a prevalent complication in individuals with high myopia, primarily resulting from the combination of inward traction by vitreoretinal adhesions and outward traction exerted by posterior scleral staphyloma on the retina. While some maintain partial visual stability over an extended period, others may progress to macular holes or even retinal detachment. For highly myopic patients with macular foveoschisis, the mainstay procedures are vitrectomy, macular buckle, and posterior scleral reinforcement. However, there is controversy about whether to perform inner limiting membrane peeling and gas filling.

Pupillary Light Reflex Reveals Melanopsin System Alteration in the Background of Myopia-26, the Female Limited Form of Early-Onset High Myopia.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate pupillary light reflex (PLR) to chromatic flashes in patients with early-onset high-myopia (eoHM) without (myopic controls = M-CTRL) and with (female-limited myopia-26 = MYP-26) genetic mutations in the ARR3 gene encoding the cone arrestin. Methods: Participants were 26 female subjects divided into 3 groups: emmetropic controls (E-CTRL, N = 12, mean age = 28.6 ± 7.8 years) and 2 myopic (M-CTRL, N = 7, mean age = 25.7 ± 11.5 years and MYP-26, N = 7, mean age = 28.3 ± 15.4 years) groups. In addition, one hemizygous carrier and one control male subject were examined. Direct PLRs were recorded after 10-minute dark adaptation. Stimuli were 1-second red (peak wavelength = 621 nm) and blue (peak wavelength = 470 nm) flashes at photopic luminance of 250 cd/m². A 2-minute interval between the flashes was introduced. Baseline pupil diameter (BPD), peak pupil constriction (PPC), and postillumination pupillary response (PIPR) were extracted from the PLR. Group comparisons were performed with ANOVAs. Results: Dark-adapted BPD was comparable among the groups, whereas PPC to the red light was slightly reduced in patients with myopia (P = 0.02). PIPR at 6 seconds elicited by the blue flash was significantly weaker (P < 0.01) in female patients with MYP-26, whereas it was normal in the M-CTRL group and the asymptomatic male carrier. Conclusions: L/M-cone abnormalities due to ARR3 gene mutation is currently claimed to underlie the pathological eye growth in MYP-26. Our results suggest that malfunction of the melanopsin system of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) is specific to patients with symptomatic MYP-26, and may therefore play an additional role in the pathological eye growth of MYP-26.

Deep Learning-Enabled Vasculometry Depicts Phased Lesion Patterns in High Myopia Progression.

PURPOSE: To investigate the potential phases in myopic retinal vascular alterations for further elucidating the mechanisms underlying the progression of high myopia (HM). METHODS: For this retrospective study, participants diagnosed with high myopia at Beijing Tongren Hospital were recruited. Based on bionic mechanisms of human vision, an intelligent image processing model was developed and utilized to extract and quantify the morphological characteristics of retinal vasculatures in different regions measured by papilla-diameter (PD), including vascular caliber, arteriole-to-venule ratio (AVR), tortuosity, the angle of the vascular arch (AVA), the distance of the vascular arch (DVA), density, fractal dimension, and venular length. In addition, the optic disc and the area of peripapillary atrophy (PPA) were also quantified. The characteristics of the overall population, as well as patients aged less than 25 years old, were compared by different genders. Univariate and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to investigate the correlation of retinal vasculature parameters with PPA width, and detailed trends of the vascular indicators were analyzed to explore the potential existence of staged morphological changes. FINDINGS: The study included 14,066 fundus photographs of 5775 patients (aged 41.2 ± 18.6 years), of whom 7379 (61.2 %) were female. The study included 12,067 fundus photographs of 5320 patients (aged 41.2 ± 18.6 years). Significant variations in the morphological parameters of retinal vessels were observed between males and females. After adjusting for age and sex, multiple linear regression analysis showed that an increased PPA width ratio was associated with lower AVA (1PD), DVA (1PD), vascular caliber (0.5-1.0 PD), tortuosity (0.5-1.0 PD), density and fractal dimension (all P < 0.001, Spearman's ρ < 0). Overall, the changes in retinal vascular morphology showed two phases: tortuosity (0.5-1.0PD) and AVA (1PD) decreased rapidly in the first stage but significantly more slowly in the second stage, while vascular density and fractal dimension showed a completely opposite trend with an initial slow decline followed by a rapid decrease. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified two distinct phases of retinal vascular morphological changes during the progression of HM. Traction lesions were predominant in the initial stage, while atrophic lesions were predominant in the later stage. These findings provide further insight into the development mechanism of HM from the perspective of retinal vasculature.

The Long-term Visual Quality and Rotational Stability After ICL/TICL V4c Implantation in Individuals With High Myopia Older Than 40 Years.

PURPOSE: To investigate the long-term visual quality and rotational stability after the implantation of Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) and toric ICL (TICL) (STAAR Surgical) in patients with myopia older than 40 years. METHODS: This study included 82 eyes of 41 patients older than 40 years with myopia who underwent ICL/TICL V4c implantation. The refraction sphere, refraction cylinder, spherical equivalent (SE), uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuity, and anterior segmental parameters were measured preoperatively and at the 1-month, 3-month, and last follow-up visits at 33 to 58 months postoperatively (mean follow-up: 42.56 ± 7.17 months). Wavefront aberrations and TICL rotation were measured using OPD-Scan III (Nidek Co Ltd) at the last follow-up visit. RESULTS: At the last follow-up visit, the overall safety and efficacy index were 1.22 ± 0.26 and 0.88 ± 0.34, respectively, without significant differences between the ICL and TICL groups. Postoperative refraction cylinder was -0.95 ± 0.64 and -0.71 ± 0.54 diopters in the ICL and TICL groups, respectively. The average vault was 467.44 ± 231.98 µm. The average TICL rotation was 5.45 ± 6.61 degrees, positively correlated with the preoperative anterior chamber volume (R2 = 0.1118, P = .026) and clockwise TICL alignment degree (R2 = 0.3110, P = .007) and negatively correlated with the 1-month vault (R2 = 0.1218, P = .008). There were no significant differences in the total, corneal, or internal aberrations and modulation transfer function AreaRatio between the ICL and TICL groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both ICL and TICL presented satisfactory long-term safety, efficacy, and visual quality in patients older than 40 years. Postoperative TICL spontaneous rotation was within the manageable range in the long term. [J Refract Surg. 2024;40(6):e381-e391.].

Prognostic factors for intravitreal conbercept in the treatment of choroidal neovascularization secondary to pathological myopia.

PURPOSE: To identify risk factors influencing visual outcomes in patients with pathological myopia-associated choroidal neovascularization (PM-CNV) following intravitreal injections of conbercept. METHODS: A total of 86 eyes from 86 patients received intravitreal conbercept in a 1 + PRN regimen. After the initial injection, patients were followed for 12 months. They were categorized into two groups based on their 12-month visual acuity change: those who achieved greater than a one-line improvement in BCVA (improved group; n = 65) and those who experienced a one-line or lesser improvement or a decrease in BCVA (non-improved group; n = 21). RESULTS: Over the 12-month period, the mean BCVA in the improved group significantly improved from 0.82 to 0.41 LogMAR. In the non-improved group, BCVA changed from 1.24 to 1.09 LogMAR. Similarly, the mean CRT decreased from 426.21 µm at baseline to 251.56 µm at 12 months in the improved group, and from 452.47 to 382.45 µm in the non-improved group. Multivariable logistic regression analyses revealed that older age (OR 1.287; 95% CI 1.019-1.625; P = 0.034), poorer baseline BCVA (OR 6.422; 95% CI 1.625-25.384; P = 0.008), the presence of subfoveal CNV (OR 4.817; 95% CI 1.242-18.681; P = 0.023), and organized interlacing patterns of CNV morphology (OR 5.593; 95% CI 1.397-22.392; P = 0.015) emerged as independent risk factors correlated with worsened visual prognosis following intravitreal conbercept injections. CONCLUSIONS: Conbercept demonstrates significant efficacy and safety in treating PM-CNV. Key factors influencing visual recovery post-treatment include older age, poorer baseline BCVA, the presence of subfoveal CNV, and organized interlacing patterns of CNV morphology.

Comparing the accuracy of intraocular lens power calculation formulas using artificial intelligence and traditional formulas in highly myopic patients: a meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: The accuracy of intraocular lens (IOL) calculations is one of the key indicators for determining the success of cataract surgery. However, in highly myopic patients, the calculation errors are relatively larger than those in general patients. With the continuous development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, there has also been a constant emergence of AI-related calculation formulas. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the accuracy of AI calculation formulas in calculating the power of IOL for highly myopic patients. METHODS: We searched the relevant literature through August 2023 using three databases: PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library. Six IOL calculation formulas were compared: Kane, Hill-RBF, EVO, Barrett II, Haigis, and SRK/T. The included metrics were the mean absolute error (MAE) and percentage of errors within ± 0.25 D, ± 0.50 D, and ± 1.00 D. RESULTS: The results showed that the MAE of Kane was significantly lower than that of Barrett II (mean difference = - 0.03 D, P = 0.02), SRK/T (MD = - 0.08 D, P = 0.02), and Haigis (MD = - 0.12 D, P < 0.00001). The percentage refractive prediction errors for Kane at ± 0.25 D, ± 0.50 D, and ± 1.00 D were significantly greater than those for SRK/T (P = 0.007, 0.003, and 0.01, respectively) and Haigis (P = 0.009, 0.0001, and 0.001, respectively). No statistically significant differences were noted between Hill-RBF and Barret, but Hill-RBF was significantly better than SRK/T and Haigis. CONCLUSION: The AI calculation formulas showed more accurate results compared with traditional formulas. Among them, Kane has the best performance in calculating IOL degrees for highly myopic patients.