Associations between Intraocular Pressure or Glaucoma Medication with Axial Length and Pathologic Myopia Incidence...

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Myopia Research
• Glaucoma Studies

Background:

• High myopia (HM) is associated with serious ocular complications.
• Understanding factors influencing axial length (AXL) elongation and myopic macular degeneration (MMD) is crucial for managing HM.
• The role of intraocular pressure (IOP) and its management in HM progression remains an area of investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the relationship between IOP and antiglaucoma medications with MMD, posterior staphyloma, and AXL elongation in HM eyes.
• To identify predictors of progression in HM.
• To explore the IOP-independent effects of glaucoma medications.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective multiethnic cohort study including 988 HM eyes.
• Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses were performed.
• Logistic and linear regression models assessed associations between IOP, MMD, staphyloma, AXL, and antiglaucoma medication use.

Main Results:

• IOP was not significantly associated with MMD, staphyloma, or AXL in non-glaucomatous eyes.
• Longer AXL correlated with various ocular structural changes.
• Antiglaucoma medication use was associated with reduced AXL elongation over time, independent of IOP.

Conclusions:

• IOP is not a significant factor in the progression of structural changes or AXL in HM eyes.
• Antiglaucoma medications may reduce AXL elongation in HM eyes through an IOP-independent mechanism.
• Pharmacologic modulation of AXL in HM eyes is a potential therapeutic avenue.