Refractive errors in high myopic eyes after phacovitrectomy for macular hole

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Refractive Surgery
• High Myopia Research

Background:

• Phacovitrectomy combines cataract removal with intraocular lens implantation and vitrectomy.
• High myopia presents unique challenges in refractive prediction due to anatomical variations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the refractive prediction error in high myopic eyes following phacovitrectomy.
• To compare refractive outcomes between high myopic and non-high myopic eyes post-phacovitrectomy.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective comparative case series of 91 eyes (18 high myopic, 73 non-high myopic).
• High myopia defined by axial length > 26.0 mm.
• Postoperative refractive prediction error (mean error, mean absolute error) assessed at 4 months using IOL Master for axial length and keratometry.

Main Results:

• High myopic eyes exhibited a significantly greater myopic shift (-1.08±0.87 D) than non-high myopic eyes (-0.43±0.63 D).
• Significant increases in axial length and keratometric values were observed in high myopic eyes post-surgery.
• Axial length elongation was notably greater in high myopic eyes (0.46±0.28 mm) compared to non-high myopic eyes (0.11±0.34 mm).

Conclusions:

• Phacovitrectomy leads to a more pronounced myopic shift in high myopic eyes.
• The observed myopic shift in high myopia appears to be primarily due to actual axial length elongation.