Evaluating glaucoma in myopic eyes: Challenges and opportunities

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Public Health

Background:

• Myopia is a growing global health issue.
• Myopia is a significant risk factor for open-angle glaucoma.
• Early detection of glaucoma in myopic individuals is critical.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the challenges in diagnosing glaucoma in myopic eyes.
• To review the efficacy of current diagnostic tools for myopic glaucoma.
• To provide clinical insights for managing myopic glaucoma patients.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive review of diagnostic tools: fundus photography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), OCT angiography (OCTA), and perimetry.
• Analysis of challenges in identifying optic nerve head (ONH) and retinal structural alterations in myopia.
• Evaluation of confounding factors between myopia and glaucoma in perimetric defects.

Main Results:

• Standard diagnostic tools face difficulties in detecting glaucoma in myopic eyes.
• Structural changes in myopic eyes can obscure glaucoma-related findings.
• Myopia-induced visual field defects can mimic or mask glaucoma deficits.

Conclusions:

• Effective glaucoma management in myopic patients requires addressing diagnostic challenges.
• Further research and refined diagnostic approaches are needed.
• Clinicians need updated strategies for accurate diagnosis and treatment.