Unilateral Myopia With Posterior Staphyloma

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Medical Imaging
• Genetics

Background:

• Pathological myopia, a leading cause of visual impairment, typically affects both eyes.
• Unilateral presentations and posterior staphyloma are rare, necessitating recognition of atypical features for diagnosis.

Observation:

• A woman in her 30s presented with unilateral proptosis and painless vision loss in her right eye.
• High myopia (-24.75 D sphere, -4.35 D cylinder) with macular posterior staphyloma was diagnosed in the right eye.
• Imaging revealed asymmetric globe enlargement, scleral thinning, and retinal/choroidal thinning.

Findings:

• Diagnosis of unilateral pathological myopia with type 2 posterior staphyloma was confirmed.
• Imaging studies (MRI, OCT, B-scan) supported the diagnosis and excluded other orbital pathologies.
• No specific cause was identified, emphasizing the condition's complexity.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of comprehensive clinical and imaging evaluations for diagnosing rare unilateral pathological myopia.
• Management focuses on monitoring and protecting the unaffected eye due to the lack of definitive treatment.
• Understanding atypical presentations is crucial for ophthalmologists managing high myopia and its complications.