TEN-YEAR LONGITUDINAL MORPHOLOGIC CHANGES IN DOME-SHAPED MACULAS IN HIGHLY MYOPIC EYES

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Medical Imaging
• Retinal Diseases

Background:

• Dome-shaped macula is a recognized morphologic feature in highly myopic eyes.
• High myopia is associated with various ocular complications, including structural changes in the macula.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the longitudinal changes in the morphologic features of dome-shaped macula in patients with high myopia.
• To identify factors associated with changes in dome-shaped macula height over time.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study of 113 eyes from 82 patients with high myopia and dome-shaped macula.
• Analysis of medical records, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and ultra-widefield OCT images.
• Mean follow-up duration of approximately 122 months.

Main Results:

• Mean dome height significantly increased from 181.51 to 209.85 µm (P < 0.001) over the follow-up period.
• Axial length also significantly increased (P < 0.001).
• Increased dome height (>50 µm) occurred in 69% of eyes; 20% showed a decrease, and 11% remained stable. Greater axial length change was associated with increased dome height (P = 0.042).

Conclusions:

• The height of dome-shaped macula in high myopia exhibits variable longitudinal changes, with a majority of eyes demonstrating an increase.
• Factors such as greater axial length changes and horizontal dome-shaped macula morphology are significantly associated with an increase in dome height.
• Variations in dome height may be influenced by the interplay between peridome scleral excavation deepening and axial length alterations.