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.

Fluorescein angiography: presence of choroidal neovascularization in the center of the retina of a myopic eye (arrow)

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

Department: Senior
Specialty: AMD, Diabetic retinopathy, Myopic maculopathy, Retinal Lasers, Retinal venous occlusive disease

Dr Francesca AmorosoStaff Physician

Department: Clinical Research, Senior
Specialty: AMD, Angioid streaks, Cataract surgery, Diabetic retinopathy, General Ophthalmology, Myopic maculopathy, Pachychoroid, Retinal Lasers, Retinal venous occlusive disease

Dr Oudy SemounStaff Physician

Department: Senior
Specialty: AMD, Angioid streaks, Cataract surgery, Diabetic retinopathy, General Ophthalmology, Myopic maculopathy, Ophthalmic Echography, Pachychoroid, Retinal Lasers, Retinal venous occlusive disease, Vitreoretinal surgery