Cilioretinal Arteries in Highly Myopic Eyes: A Photographic Classification System and Its Association With Myopic Macular Degeneration.

ABSTRACT: Purpose: To develop a photographic classification for cilioretinal arteries and to investigate its association with myopic macular degeneration (MMD). Methods: One thousand six hundred ninety-two highly myopic eyes of 1,692 patients were included. The presence of a cilioretinal artery was determined by fundus photographs, and a photographic classification was proposed. MMD was classified according to the International META-PM Classification. Associations of the cilioretinal artery and its classifications with MMD and visual acuity were analyzed. Results: Of the eyes tested, 245 (14.5%) had a cilioretinal artery. The cilioretinal arteries were classified into four categories (temporal "cake-fork," 35.92%; temporal "ribbon," 53.47%; "multiple," 6.53%; "nasal," 4.08%) and 3 distributions based on whether its visible branches reached the central foveal area. Eyes with cilioretinal arteries had significantly less MMD of grade ?3 and better visual acuity than those without (P < 0.01). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that younger age, male sex, shorter axial length, and the presence of a cilioretinal artery were associated with better visual acuity in highly myopic eyes (all P < 0.05). The "nasal" category presented more MMD with grade ?3 and worse visual acuity than the other categories (P < 0.05), whereas the "multiple" category contained no eyes with MMD grade ?3. The cilioretinal arteries reaching the central foveal area showed less MMD of grade ?3 and better visual acuity than those not (P < 0.05). Conclusions: We propose a photographic classification for cilioretinal arteries that has good clinical relevance to visual functions. The cilioretinal artery may potentially afford protection against MMD.

SUBMITTER: Meng J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7738318 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature