Posterior staphyloma and long-term structural and visual trajectories in high myopia

To determine whether posterior staphyloma (PS) is associated with long-term trajectories of ocular structural changes, myopia-related complications and visual outcomes in high myopia.

This prospective longitudinal cohort study included 614 highly myopic eyes from the Zhongshan High Myopia Cohort Study, followed for up to 12 years. Eyes were categorised by PS status: baseline PS (n=46), new-onset PS (n=94) or no PS (n=474). The associations between PS and myopic macular degeneration (MMD) progression, myopic traction maculopathy (MTM) and plus lesions incidence, longitudinal changes in ocular parameters and incident moderate-to-severe visual impairment (MSVI) were assessed.

PS was independently associated with increased risks of MMD progression (OR 3.39, 95% CI 1.81 to 6.35, p<0.001), MTM (OR 2.25, 95% CI 1.06 to 4.77, p=0.034) and incident plus lesions (OR 3.15, 95% CI 1.16 to 8.57, p=0.024). The highest risks of MTM and plus lesions were observed in eyes with new-onset PS. Eyes with PS demonstrated significantly faster axial elongation (mean annual rate: baseline PS, 0.120 mm (95% CI 0.099 to 0.142); new-onset PS: 0.129 mm (95% CI 0.114 to 0.145); no PS: 0.066 mm (95% CI 0.060 to 0.073), p<0.001) and a fivefold higher risk of MSVI (95% CI 1.36 to 18.45, p=0.016).

PS marks a pivotal structural transition in high myopia, identifying a phase of accelerated axial elongation, increased risk of complications and worse visual outcomes, and may serve as a key marker for risk stratification and an important target for early intervention.