Peripheral retinal changes and ocular parameters in myopic patients: A Retrospective analysis pre- and post- refractive surgery

Objective

This study aimed to investigate peripheral retinal changes and analyze various ocular parameters in myopic patients both before and after undergoing refractive surgery.

Methods

This retrospective study analyzed 116 patients 139 eyes who underwent refractive surgery, divided into mild, moderate, and high myopia groups. Patients were also categorized by peripheral retinal lesion severity: normal fundus, untreated, or treated. Treated patients received preventive therapy for retinal diseases before surgery. Preoperative and postoperative data, including visual acuity, refraction, intraocular pressure, axial length, pupil diameter, corneal tomography, and fundus images, were collected at 1 day, 6 months, and 12 months.

Results

Significant differences in preoperative uncorrected distance visual acuity, axial length (AL), and spherical equivalent (SE) were found among the groups, with higher myopia associated with worse uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) and longer AL. However, no significant differences in peripheral retinal lesions were observed. Surgical preferences varied: laser-assisted subepithelial keratomileusis (LASEK) was most common in the mild group 39.13 %, small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) in the moderate group 70.83 %, and femtosecond laser assisted-laser in-situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK) in the high myopia group 66.67 %. Postoperative outcomes were stable, with no new retinal holes or detachments noted during follow-up.

Conclusion

The study confirms that higher myopia correlates with worse UDVA and longer AL but challenges the notion that high myopia consistently leads to more severe peripheral retinal lesions. These findings emphasize the need for further research to clarify the myopia-retinal complication relationship and refine clinical guidelines for managing myopic patients.