Characteristics of Optic Disc and Peripapillary Structures in Myopia Based on Swept-Source Optical Coherence...

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Retinal Imaging
• Myopia Research

Background:

• Myopia, a common refractive error, is associated with structural changes in the optic nerve and surrounding tissues.
• Understanding these changes is crucial for diagnosing and managing myopia-related complications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare optic disc morphology and peripapillary structures in patients with varying degrees of myopia.
• To analyze the correlation between these structures and the peripapillary choroidal vascularity index (PCVI).

Main Methods:

• Swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) was used to image patients aged 18-40 years with myopia.
• Patients were categorized into low, moderate, and high myopia groups based on spherical equivalent.
• Parameters analyzed included parapapillary atrophy, optic disc tilt and rotation, peripapillary choroidal thickness, and PCVI.

Main Results:

• Increased incidence and area of parapapillary atrophy and optic disc tilt were observed with higher myopia.
• Downward optic disc rotation was more frequent in highly myopic groups.
• Temporal peripapillary choroidal thickness showed a positive correlation with PCVI, while parapapillary atrophy areas negatively correlated with PCVI.

Conclusions:

• Parapapillary atrophy area increases with myopia severity, with γ-parapapillary atrophy predominantly enlarging in low-to-moderate myopia.
• Downward optic disc rotation is more prevalent in high myopia.
• Reduced temporal peripapillary choroidal thickness may indicate impaired peripapillary choroidal blood flow in myopic eyes.