| Descriptive definitions |
| Pathologic myopia |
Excessive axial elongation associated with myopia that leads to structural changes in the posterior segment of the eye (including posterior staphyloma, myopic maculopathy, and high myopia-associated optic neuropathy) and that can lead to loss of best-corrected visual acuity. |
| Myopic macular degeneration (MMD) |
A vision-threatening condition occurring in people with myopia, usually high myopia that comprises diffuse or patchy macular atrophy with or without lacquer cracks, macular Bruch´s membrane defects, choroidal neovascularization, and Fuchs spot. |
| Diagnostic subdivisions of MMD |
| Myopic maculopathy |
Category 0: no myopic retinal degenerative lesion. |
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Category 1: tessellated fundus. |
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Category 2: diffuse chorioretinal atrophy. |
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Category 3: patchy chorioretinal atrophy. |
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Category 4: macular atrophy. |
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“Plus” features: lacquer cracks, myopic choroidal neovascularization, and Fuchs spot. |
| Presumed myopic macular degeneration |
A person who has vision impairment and vision acuity that is not improved by pinhole, which cannot be attributed to other causes, and |
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The direct ophthalmoscopy records a supplementary lens > ‒5.00 D and shows changes such as “patchy atrophy” in the retina or |
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The direct ophthalmoscopy records a supplementary lens > ‒10.00 D. |
| Specific clinical conditions characteristic of pathologic myopia |
| Myopic traction maculopathy (MTM) |
A combination of macular retinoschisis, lamellar macula hole, and/or foveal RD (FRD) in highly myopic eyes attributable to traction forces arising from adherent vitreous cortex, epiretinal membrane, internal limiting membrane, retinal vessels, and posterior staphyloma. |
| Myopia-associated glaucoma-like optic neuropathy |
Optic neuropathy characterized by a loss of neuroretinal rim and enlargement of the optic cup, occurring in highly myopic eyes with a secondary macrodisc or parapapillary delta zone at a normal intraocular pressure. |
