Differences in macular structure and microvasculature between high myopia and non-high myopia

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Medical Imaging
• Retinal Imaging

Background:

• Myopia, a common refractive error, can lead to significant ocular structural changes.
• Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is a valuable tool for visualizing retinal and choroidal microvasculature.
• Understanding these changes is crucial for managing myopia-related complications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate retinal and choroidal morphological and microvascular alterations in high myopia (HM) versus non-high myopia (NHM) using OCTA.
• To compare OCTA-derived parameters between HM and NHM groups.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective, cross-sectional study of 142 eyes from 84 myopic patients.
• Patients were categorized into HM (SE ≤ -6.0 D) and NHM (-6.0 D < SE ≤ -0.5 D) groups.
• OCTA parameters analyzed: foveal retinal thickness (RT), choroidal thickness (CT), superficial and deep retinal vessel density (SRVD, DRVD), choriocapillaris density (CCD), and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area and perimeter.

Main Results:

• HM eyes showed significantly increased RT (foveal, parafoveal, perifoveal) compared to NHM eyes.
• HM eyes exhibited significant choroidal thinning (CT) and decreased choriocapillaris density (CCD).
• A trend towards reduced SRVD and enlarged FAZ area and perimeter was observed in HM eyes.

Conclusions:

• High myopia is associated with distinct retinal and choroidal alterations.
• These include increased retinal thickness, reduced choroidal thickness and density, and an enlarged FAZ.
• These findings suggest progressive microvascular and structural remodeling correlating with myopia severity.