S. Ben Yahia, R. Messaoud, S. Attia, T. Zaafouri, S. Zaouali, A. Ladjimi, M. Khairallah

Purpose:

To report the macular involvement in patients with posterior microphthalmos.

Methods:

The records of eighteen patients with posterior microphthalmos were reviewed. These included clinical, fundus photographic, fluorescein angiographic, and ultrasonographic findings.

Results:

All patients had bilateral foreshortening of the posterior ocular segment (range, 7–11.2 mm) with associated high hyperopia (range, +12.00 to +19.00 diopters) and normal or slightly smaller than normal anterior segment dimensions. Visual acuity ranged from 20/200 to 20/40. Macular involvement included bilateral elevated papillomacular retinal fold (13 patients, 72.2%); fine macular folds (6 patients, 33.3%); macular detachement secondary to uveal effusion syndrome (1 patients, 16.7%); and absence or marked reduction of the capillary-free zone (18 patients, 100%).

Conclusion:

Macular changes in patients with posterior microphthalmos mainly include elevated papillomacular retinal fold and absence or marked reduction of the capillary-free zone.

Take-home message:

The macula is usually involved during posterior microphthalmos, explaining in part the visual impairment in these patients.