Commentary review on peripapillary morphological characteristics in high myopia eyes with glaucoma: diagnostic challenges and strategies

• Main Authors: Yan-Hui Chen, Rui-Hua Wei, Yan-Nian Hui
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Press of International Journal of Ophthalmology (IJO PRESS) 2021-04-01
• Series: International Journal of Ophthalmology
• Subjects: high myopia; open angle glaucoma; parapapillary atrophy; parapapillary microvasculature; optic disc; lamina cribrosa; optical coherence tomography
• Online Access: http://ies.ijo.cn/en_publish/2021/4/20210418.pdf

The incidences of open angle glaucoma (OAG) and high myopia are increasing concomitantly. Considering the aging population and concurrent rapid increase in the number of individuals with myopia, the risk of visual defects caused by highly myopic OAG is likely to increase dramatically over the next few decades. However, precise screening and diagnosis of OAG is challenging because of the tilt and rotation of the optic disc, as well as extensive β-zone parapapillary atrophy in highly myopic eyes. Recent advances in optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA) technologies imply that both modalities are promising tools for the detection of highly myopic OAG. Notably, the diagnosis of OAG remains to be determined with the longitudinal changes of functional damages (e.g. visual field defect, visual electrophysiological changes). We herein describe some aspects of microvascular and microstructural pathology in patients with highly myopic OAG and proposes a framework for the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.