Structural Abnormalities in the Papillary and Peripapillary Areas and Corresponding Visual Field Defects in Eyes With Pathologic Myopia

PURPOSE. To identify structural abnormalities in the papillary and peripapillary area in eyes with pathologic myopia (PM) and normal IOP and to determine their relationship to visual field (VF) defects. METHODS. One hundred eight eyes of 70 patients with PM were retrospectively studied. The disc-centered swept source optical coherence tomographic images and the Goldmann VF recorded within 1 year of the optical coherence tomographic examination were analyzed. Four structural abnormalities were identified: lamina cribrosa (LC) defects, ridge protrusions, intrachoroidal cavitations (ICC), and prelaminar schisis. The correspondence of the VF defects with the structural abnormalities was assessed. RESULTS. The mean age, axial length, and optic disc area of the 108 eyes were 58.7 +/- 10.0 years, 31.1 +/- 2.4 mm, and 4.7 +/- 2.2 mm2, respectively. Eighty-five of the 108 eyes (78.7%) had at least one abnormality and 49.4% (42/85) had two or more abnormalities. LC defects, ridge protrusions, ICC, and prelaminar schisis were detected in 47.2%, 33.3%, 21.3%, and 30.6% of the eyes, respectively. VF defects at the corresponding areas of these structural abnormalities were seen in 63% of the eyes with LC defects, 39% of the eyes with ridge protrusions, and 21% of the eyes with ICC. CONCLUSIONS. Four kinds of structural abnormalities with corresponding VF defects are commonly observed in the papillary and peripapillary region of eyes with PM. The presence of these abnormalities suggests a possibility of functional damage.

Automated summary

The study identified four common structural abnormalities in eyes with pathologic myopia, with corresponding visual field defects. The presence of these abnormalities suggests a possibility of functional damage.