Japanese researchers have used polarisationsensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) to reveal unprecedented insights into the structure of the sclera.
The researchers used PS-OCT to assess the orientation and optic axis of scleral fibres in inner and outer layers of highly myopic eyes. They compared the results between eyes with and without a dome-shaped macula.
In a case series of 89 highly myopic eyes of 72 patients, PS-OCT of eyes without a dome-shaped macula showed low-density, radially oriented fibres in the inner layer and high-density, vertically oriented fibres in the outer layer of the sclera. Scleral fibres in the inner layer were aggregated and thickened in eyes with a dome-shaped macula, while fibres in the outer sclera were compressed without thickening.
The findings, published in JAMA Ophthalmology,1 suggest that PS-OCT may advance understanding of scleral pathologies in eyes with pathologic myopia.
“Given the common occurrence of scleral pathologies, such as dome-shaped macula, and staphylomas in eyes with pathologic myopia, recognising these fibre patterns could be important,” the study authors said.
“These insights may be relevant to developing targeted therapies to address scleral abnormalities early and, thus, mitigate potential damage to the overlying neural tissue.”
Reference
- Ohno-Matsui, K., Igarashi-Yokoi, T., Azuma, T., et al. Polarization-sensitive OCT imaging of scleral abnormalities in eyes with high myopia and domeshaped macula. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2024;142(4):310–319. DOI:10.1001/ jamaophthalmol.2024.0002.