Role of Inflammation in Atrophy Development and Progression in Pathologic Myopia
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: PURPOSE: To describe the progression of atrophy in pathologic myopia eyes with prior retinal inflammatory lesions consistent with punctate inner choroidopathy. METHODS: Retrospective case series of 21 eyes with pathologic myopia and resolved retinal inflammatory lesions compared with 26 noninflamed controls (14 fellow eyes; 12 external myopic eyes with pre-existing patchy atrophy). The primary outcome was annual atrophy-area change (mm2/year) on multimodal imaging. Secondary outcomes included incident/enlarging atrophy, multifocal versus unifocal appearance, and META-PM category progression. Group comparisons used Welch t tests and Fisher exact tests; an age-adjusted linear regression examined independent associations. RESULTS: Over 5.2 ± 3.2 years in inflamed eyes and 5.3 ± 2.4 years in controls, patchy atrophy progressed faster with inflammation (0.76 ± 0.67 vs. 0.38 ± 0.47 mm2/year; P = 0.03). Among eyes starting in myopic macular degeneration Category 1 to 2, incident atrophy occurred in 14 of 14 (100%) inflamed versus 4 of 11 (36.4%) controls (P < 0.01). Overall atrophy activity (new or enlarging) was 21 of 21 (100%) in inflamed eyes versus 19 of 26 (73.1%) controls (P < 0.01). Multifocal atrophy was more frequent with inflammation (15/21, 71.4%) than in controls (6/26, 23.1%; P < 0.01). In age-adjusted regression, inflammation remained independently associated with faster atrophy expansion (β = 0.41 mm2/year; 95% CI, 0.04-0.78; P = 0.033). CONCLUSION: In pathologic myopia, prior retinal inflammation is independently associated with more frequent multifocal involvement, higher risk of incident atrophy, and a substantially faster atrophy-expansion. Beyond mechanical factors, inflammation seems to be a key driver of atrophic progression in this population.
Source: Retina
Language: English
Subfield: Ophthalmology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7129434114