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Subject Area

Internal Medicine

Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Objective The aim was to assess the relationship between macular thickness in each of the nine regions and the axial length (AL) and spherical equivalent (SE) in myopes. Background Myopia is the most common error of refraction and, in many countries; complications related to high myopia are a major cause of blindness. The relation between macular thickness and AL in myopia has been one of much interest over the past few years. Many researchers believe that since in axial myopia, the globe elongates and the sclera stretches, so the macula must thin. Patients and methods One hundred eyes of 50 myopes, free of any other ocular abnormalities were assessed. All were above 18 years of age. Each patient was subjected to a full clinical examination, refraction, AL assessment by A scan ultrasonography and macular thickness was determined by spectral domain optical coherence tomography. The patients were subdivided into three diagnostic groups into high myopia (>–6.00 D), moderate myopia between (–3.00 and –6.00 D), and low myopia (< –3.00 D). Results The study revealed a highly significant negative correlation between increasing AL and macular thickness in all quadrants except in the fovea (positive correlation found) and outer temporal quadrant, and a highly significant positive correlation between SE and macular thickness in all quadrants except in the fovea (negative correlation found) and outer temporal quadrant. Macular thickness was significantly less in high myopes than low and moderate myopes except in the fovea (more thickness in high myopes). The SE was significantly correlated with increasing AL. Conclusion In myopes, increasing AL and degree of myopia can be correlated with a decrease in macular thickness except in the foveal region.

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