Practical Tips in Surgery for Myopic Maculopathy

With the dramatic increase in the prevalence of myopia worldwide, it has been estimated that one-third of the world’s population will be affected by 2020. Myopic eyes are at risk of developing conditions that require vitreoretinal surgery, such as rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, myopic foveoschisis and myopic macular holes. The incidence of high myopia and pathologic myopia in East Asia is especially high and vitreoretinal surgeons in the region are increasingly operating on surgical vitreoretinal complications in highly myopic eyes. However, the intrinsic properties of highly myopic eyes, including their long axial length, posterior staphyloma, lack of scleral rigidity, peculiar vitreous anatomy and abnormal vitreoretinal adhesions, have made operations on these eyes challenging. Herein, the authors hope to provide practical tips and techniques for vitrectomy in highly myopic eyes.