Optical coherence tomography findings in myopic traction maculopathy.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the features and incidence of epiretinal traction and related retinal damage in degenerative myopia.

DESIGN

Consecutive observational case series.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed medical records and optical coherence tomography findings of 218 eyes with high myopia of 121 consecutive patients to detect the incidence and features of epiretinal traction-related macular damage. The degree of myopia ranged from -8 to -26 spherical equivalent (mean +/- SD, -16.93 +/- 5.74). Mean +/- SD axial length was 29.75 +/- 2.12 mm. Excluding eyes with possibly confounding features, 125 eyes were analyzed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Detection of epiretinal traction and related macular damage.

RESULTS

Epiretinal traction was found in 58 (46.4%) of 125 eyes and retinal damage, in 43 eyes (34.4%). Macular retinoschisis was the most frequent form of macular damage (25 eyes [58%]), followed by retinal thickening, lamellar hole, and shallow retinal detachment.

CONCLUSIONS

Epiretinal traction is a frequent finding in degenerative myopia and, particularly if associated with the presence of staphyloma, can generate a form of macular damage unique to eyes with high myopia. This damage can affect up to one third of these eyes and should be considered as a separate cause of visual loss easily detected by optical coherence tomography at its early stages.