Macular complications associated with posterior staphyloma

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Retinal Diseases
• Myopia Research

Background:

• High myopia is a significant risk factor for posterior staphyloma.
• Posterior staphyloma, an outward bulging of the posterior sclera, is associated with myopic fundus abnormalities.
• Understanding macular changes in myopic posterior staphyloma is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and report macular abnormalities in eyes affected by posterior staphyloma.
• To correlate the severity of posterior staphyloma with visual acuity and specific funduscopic findings.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 116 eyes from 58 patients with myopic refractions.
• Clinical quantification of posterior staphyloma and assessment of myopic fundus abnormalities.
• Evaluation of best-corrected visual acuity, refractive error, axial length, and funduscopic features.

Main Results:

• Posterior staphyloma was found in 75.9% of eyes with myopia of -3 diopters or more.
• Visual acuity decreased across all staphyloma grades, with the shallowest grade showing the most significant drop and highest frequency of complications.
• A linear relationship was observed between staphyloma grade and increased conus formation, RPE defects, lacquer cracks, and chorioretinal atrophy.

Conclusions:

• An unexpectedly high incidence of choroidal neovascular membranes and hemorrhage was noted in lower staphyloma grades.
• These findings suggest that choroidal neovascular membrane development may depend on a relatively preserved choriocapillaris.
• Early stages of posterior staphyloma formation can present with significant visual impairment and neovascular complications.