Location of Ocular Tessellations in Japanese: Population-Based Kumejima Study.

Purpose: Tessellation of the ocular fundus is commonly found at a mild stage in myopic eyes, and their locations vary among individuals. We conducted this study to determine the distribution of tessellation locations in a population study.

Methods: A cross-sectional, population-based study. Residents of Kumejima older than 40 years were studied. The subjects filled out a comprehensive questionnaire, had their body height (BH) measured, and had an ocular examination. The location of the tessellation was classified into 6 patterns. Correlations between each pattern and the axial length (AL), age, and BH were statistically determined.

Results: Reliable measurements of the AL and fundus photographs of the right eyes were obtained from 1670 subjects. Nine hundred eleven eyes had no tessellation, 113 eyes had tessellation in the posterior pole, 118 eyes had tessellation in the macular area, 383 eyes had tessellation in the peripapillary region, 6 eyes had tessellation in the nasal region, and 239 eyes had tessellation in the inferior region. The AL of the "no tessellation" group was significantly shorter than that of the posterior pole and macular groups (P < 0.01). The individuals of the posterior pole and peripapillary groups were significantly older than in all other groups (P < 0.05) except for the nasal group. The individuals in the inferior tessellation group were significantly taller than those in the no tessellation, posterior pole, and peripapillary groups (P < 0.01).

Conclusions: The location distribution of the tessellation is important in correctly interpreting and predicting myopic changes.