Myopic traction maculopathy - vitreoretinal traction syndrome in high myopic eyes and posterior staphyloma]

The pathology of the posterior pole in high myopic eyes is characterised by scleral thinning and staphyloma associated with structural changes of the retina. Epiretinal membranes and epiretinal traction together with partial separation of the ILM result in myopic foveoschisis and posterior tractional detachment with myopic macular holes. Foveal detachment and retinoschisis in highly myopic eyes may resolve after vitrectomy with ILM peeling: however, there is a considerable risk for the development of macular hole formation. Skleral buckling surgery is currently regaining interest and allows one to reduce the tractional forces in selected cases. While reading visual acuity is usually not regained after macular hole development, prophylactic measures should be considered for the fellow eye. Vitreous surgery might have a rationale as prophylactic treatment for highly myopic eyes at high risk of macular hole development; however, this needs to be weighed against possible surgical complications.