The new Myopic Traction Maculopathy Staging System

To describe a comprehensive OCT-based classification of myopic traction maculopathy (MTM).

Two hundred eighty-one eyes with MTM (visited from 2006 to 2018), were retrospectively reviewed for age, best-corrected-visual-acuity (BCVA), axial length (AL), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and wide-field color fundus-photographs. The study was divided in two Phases. Phase 1: MTM types were categorized with OCT and correlated with age and BCVA. The type of staphyloma was described. Phase 2: the evolution of MTM was studied evaluating at least three OCT exams of each eye taken at different timings (interval between each exam: 1-10 years).

Phase 1: We identified, four MTM retinal stages (1. Inner/Outer Maculoschisis; 2. Predominantly outer Maculoschisis; 3. Maculoschisis-Macular Detachment; 4. Macular Detachment) and three foveal stages (a. Normal fovea; b. Inner Lamellar-Macular-Hole; c. Full-Thickness-Macular-Hole). Outer-Lamellar-Macular-Holes and epiretinal abnormalities were associated findings. Stages 1 to 2 were younger than stages 3 to 4 (p < 0.05). BCVA in stages 1, 2 was similar, and higher than stages 3, 4 (p < 0.02). About 14% of eyes had no staphyloma, 73% of eyes had staphyloma type 1 or 2. MTM stages were not correlated with AL. Phase 2: The retina could change in time from stage 1 to 4, or the fovea could change from stage a to c. Mean evolution time from stage 1 to 2, stage 2 to 3, and 3 to 4 were 20, 12, 3 months, respectively. BCVA decreased over time as stages increased (p = 0.47).

The MSS Table displays a new classification, the natural evolution, and practical insights for the management of MTM.