Unique liver function in high myopia: associations with myopic macular degeneration

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Clinical Biochemistry

Background:

• High myopia is a significant risk factor for vision-threatening complications.
• Myopic macular degeneration (MMD) is a leading cause of visual impairment in high myopia patients.
• Understanding biomarkers associated with MMD is crucial for early detection and management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate liver function and lipid profiles in patients with high myopia.
• To determine the association between liver function/lipid indexes and myopic macular degeneration (MMD).
• To evaluate the potential of liver function indexes as diagnostic indicators for MMD.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study comparing 995 emmetropic and 805 highly myopic patients.
• Serum liver function and lipid indexes measured using a biochemical analyzer.
• MMD classification based on ultra-widefield fundus photography (META-PM Classification).
• Machine learning models developed to predict MMD using liver function indexes.

Main Results:

• Highly myopic patients showed lower albumin, alkaline phosphatase, glutamyl transpeptidase, and triglyceride levels compared to emmetropes.
• Higher levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein-A were observed in the high myopia group.
• Serum GGT and ALT levels differed significantly across MMD categories.
• A machine learning model using GGT achieved an AUC of 0.735 for MMD prediction; multiple liver function indexes improved AUC to 0.803.

Conclusions:

• Close associations exist between liver function markers and MMD severity.
• Serum GGT may serve as a potential diagnostic indicator for MMD in highly myopic individuals.
• Liver function indexes show promise for predicting MMD in high myopia.