P revalence of Lattice Degeneration and Its Relation to Axial Length

ABSTRACT

We studied the relationship between the prevalence of lattice degeneration and the axial length in patients with myopia who had undergone photorefractive keratectomy(PRK). 355 eyes of 186 myopic patients with axial length of 22.99mm~30.67mm were evaluated by using A-scan axial length measurements and fundus examination. The myopic patients with posterior staphyloma did not undergo PRK.Eyes were classified into three groups on the basis of axial lengthmild(28mm)axial myopia.The prevalence of lattice degeneration was then studied according to axial length group. The highest prevalence of lattice degeneration(13 of 35 eyes, 37.1%)was found among eyes of axial length 28 mmor greater;the lowest prevalence of lattice degeneration(10 of 174 eyes, 5.7%)was found among eyes of axial length under 26 mm. We could find statistically significant association between the prevalence of lattice degeneration and axial length(X2 27.356 P-value<0.005). Unless the axial myopia is related to posterior staphyloma, this may explain the observation that lattice degeneration has been noted more commonly among patients with severe than mild or moderate axial myopia. As lattice degeneration is recognized as a frequent cause of retinal detachment, we recommend peripheral fundus examination be done carefully before PRK or LASIK.