Myopic maculopathy
Myopia (axial myopia) is defined by the amount of the axial length of the eye (antero-posterior). A myopic eyeball is longer than the normal, and it requires an optical correction (measured dioptres) for far vision in order to focus the image on the retina.
Myopic-related ocular pathologies
Pathologic myopia (defined as a refractive myopia greater than -6 dioptres) can lead to numerous complications.
The more frequent myopic maculopathies are: macular retinoschisis, macular holes and choroidal neovascularization. They are the leading causes of drop in visual acuity in myopic patients. The loss in visual acuity caused by myopic maculopathies is often associated with the perception of distorted images. Finally, glaucoma and cataract are also ocular pathologies that can supervene quite frequently in a myopic eye.
Myopia represents a therapeutic challenge.
For this reason, the ophthalmology service directed by Pr Souied (the head of the department) arranges a consultation service precisely dedicated to myopic patients.
Clinical and therapeutic approach
Many advances have recently been made in the clinical and therapeutic approach of these diseases. Modern imaging techniques (optical coherence tomography or OCT, OCT-angiography and digital angiography) can be used to detect retinal lesions in myopic patients in order to make an early diagnosis.
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) and intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF agents have shown their efficacy in myopic neovascularization, and vitrectomy (a surgical approach) has shown to be an adequate and fairly safe treatement for myopic macular hole and retinal detachment.
Soon, a more detailed understanding of the mechanisms leading to these complications may lay the foundations to new therapeutic perspectives.
You can make an appointment with one of the Ophthalmologists of the department who provide specific care dedicated to this pathology:
Dr Alexandra MiereUniversity Lecturer – Staff Physician
Dr Francesca AmorosoStaff Physician
Dr Oudy SemounStaff Physician
