Myopic Maculopathy

Myopic maculopathy is a form of macular degeneration in people with severe myopia. In myopia, or short-sightedness, the eyeball is larger or longer than average. It is thought that very high myopia results from an abnormal and progressive stretching and elongation of the eyeball. This abnormal and progressive thinning of the layers of the eyeball is called pathological myopia. The retina, and other layers at the back of the eye become so thin that the cells in the retina can die which leads to atrophy and a slow decline in central vision. This myopic atrophy or degeneration secondary to pathological myopia is similar to atrophy, secondary to dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and is seen in the elderly population. However, with pathological myopia, changes can start at a much earlier age. Cracks may also appear in the deeper layers under the retina leading to further atrophy, scarring or bleeding under the macula. This is called choroidal neovascularization, secondary to pathological myopia and is similar to choroidal neovascularization secondary to wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in the elderly population.