Abstract
Presentation Description :
Myopia is typically a byproduct of excessive eye elongation, mostly confined to the posterior scleral cup (vitreous chamber). Although the associated focussing error is readily corrected, e.g., with spectacle or contact lenses, or refractive surgery, these interventions do not address the now well documented association between myopia and increased risks of a variety of potentially blinding pathologies, including but not limited to retinal detachment, myopic maculopathy and glaucoma. The ocular dimensional changes reflect scleral ultrastructural and biomechanical changes. Apart from the myopic sclera being thinner than normal, its glycosaminoglycan and collagen contents are reduced and collagen fibril assembly disorganized, rendering it biomechanically weaker. Such biomechanical changes facilitate elongation of the eye in myopia, and in highly myopic eyes, may lead to posterior staphylomas, reflecting localized mechanical failure of the sclera. This presentation will provide an overview of relevant data along with observations from studies aimed at controlling myopia progression, through either direct targeting of the sclera or alternative interventions, including encountered challenges, with speculation on future possibilities.
This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.