ABRUPTLY EMERGING VESSELS IN EYES WITH MYOPIC PATCHY CHORIORETINAL ATROPHY. Issue 7 (July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xie, Shiqi; Fang, Yuxin; Du, Ran; Yokoi, Tae; Takahashi, Hiroyuki; Uramoto, Kengo; Yoshida, Takeshi; Ohno-Matsui, Kyoko
• Is Part Of: Retina. Volume 40:Issue 7(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-07
• Subjects: abruptly emerging vessels -- dome-shaped macula -- patchy chorioretinal atrophy -- pathologic myopia -- perforating scleral vessels -- sclera -- swept-source optical coherence tomography; Retina -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Retinal Diseases; Vitreous Body; 617.735
• DOI: 10.1097/IAE.0000000000002630
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0275-004X

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: To determine the prevalence and characteristics of abruptly emerging vessels (AEVs) within patchy atrophy (PA) in myopic eyes. Methods: We studied 160 highly myopic eyes of 144 patients between March and November in 2016. Fundus photographs and swept-source optical coherence tomography images were analyzed. Results: Patient mean age was 67.1 ± 10.5 years. Mean axial length was 30.9 ± 2.0 mm. The mean size of the 264 PAs was 5.6 ± 8.3 mm 2 . Abruptly emerging vessels were detected in 69 (43.1%) eyes and were located within or near PA edge in fundus photographs. Swept-source optical coherence tomography showed that the AEVs were continuous with perforating scleral vessels and were observed on the inner surface of the sclera at the site where they appeared in fundus photographs. A slight bowing of sclera around the AEVs was observed in 41 (59%) eyes. Patchy atrophy with AEVs was significantly larger (10.7 ± 11.3 mm 2 ) than PA without AEVs (3.4 ± 5.1 mm 2 ). Conclusion: Abruptly emerging vessels are commonly found in eyes with myopic PA. The sclera surrounding the AEVs is slightly bowed. Further studies are needed to determine whether the penetrating site of AEVs is structurally more fragile and leads to Bruch membrane defects or AEVs are secondarily involved during PA progression. Abstract : Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text.Abruptly emerging vessels were found in 43% of eyes with myopic patchy atrophy, and 59% of them were surrounded by a slight bowing sclera. Further clarifications are needed on whether the penetration by abruptly emerging vessels leads to structural fragility that causes macular Bruch membrane defects (=patchy atrophy), or whether abruptly emerging vessels are secondarily involved with the enlargement of patchy atrophy.