RAPID PROGRESSION OF FOVEOMACULAR RETINOSCHISIS IN YOUNG MYOPICS.

PURPOSE: To describe a foveomacular retinoschisis that has not been described.

METHODS: Patients with foveomacular retinoschisis were included. Exclusion criteria included refractive error over -6.00 diopters, presence of posterior staphyloma, positive RS1-gene mutation, family history of retinoschisis, optic disk abnormalities, or glaucoma. Vitrectomy was performed on eyes with functional or structural deterioration.

RESULTS: Seventeen eyes from 10 patients (15-30 years old, 8 females and 2 males) with foveoschisis were recruited, with bilateral involvement in 7 patients and unilateral in 3 patients. Vitrectomy was performed in 13 eyes (13/17, 76.5%). Seven eyes (6 patients) were operated soon after the first presentation because of poor vision and severe foveoschisis. Six eyes (6 patients) were operated 2 weeks to 13 months later because of deterioration of vision and foveoschisis. Preoperative vision was 20/134 ± 20/165, and postoperative vision was 20/25 ± 20/57, with visual improvement of 6.9 (4-14) lines. The mean postoperative follow-up period was 36.5 (15-69) months. Four eyes (4 patients) were asymptomatic, despite progression of foveoschisis. Three eyes (3 patients) maintained normal macula structures.

CONCLUSION: We report a foveomacular retinoschisis characterized by young age of onset, female predominant, no highly myopia, mostly bilateral involvement, and rapid progression of foveoschisis and visual acuity. Vitrectomy is effective in restoring anatomical structure and stabilize vision.