Vitreous Structure and Visual Function in Myopic Vitreopathy Causing Vision-Degrading Myodesopsia.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Vision Science

Background:

• Myopic vitreopathy is characterized by early vitreous liquefaction and posterior vitreous detachment (PVD).
• The impact of myopic vitreopathy and PVD on visual function remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationships between axial length, vitreous structural density, PVD, and visual function in myopic eyes.
• To quantify the effects of myopia and PVD on contrast sensitivity function (CSF).

Main Methods:

• Retrospective case-control study involving 79 subjects.
• Ultrasonography was used to measure axial length, logMAR visual acuity, and quantitative B-scan ultrasonography for vitreous echodensity.
• Freiburg acuity contrast test (FACT) was employed to assess contrast sensitivity function (CSF).

Main Results:

• Increased axial length correlated with greater vitreous echodensity and degraded CSF.
• Myopic eyes exhibited significantly higher vitreous echodensity and worse CSF compared to nonmyopic eyes.
• Posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) in myopic eyes was associated with further increases in vitreous echodensity and worsened CSF.

Conclusions:

• Axial myopia is associated with increased fibrous vitreous liquefaction and echodensity, leading to profound degradation of CSF.
• PVD in myopic eyes further exacerbates structural and functional abnormalities, which can be normalized by limited vitrectomy.
• These findings provide insights into visual complaints experienced by patients with myopia and PVD, potentially impacting their quality of life.