Bruch's membrane opening in high myopia and its correlation with axial length

Abstract

Purpose

To measure the Bruch's Membrane Opening (BMO) area and Minimum Rim Width (BMO-MRW) in eyes with high myopia and correlate it with axial length (AL).

Methods

A cross-sectional, hospital-based study of 40 participants with high myopia Spherical Equivalent Refraction (SER) ≤ −6D was conducted. Spectral Domain-Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT) of both the eyes (BE) was performed using Glaucoma Module Premiere Edition (GMPE) with Anatomic Positioning System (APS) to measure BMO area and BMO-MRW. The AL in myopic patients was measured using Partial Coherence Interferometry (IOL Master).

Results

This study included 80 eyes of 40 participants aged 18–35 years. The mean BMO area was 2.28 ± 0.48 mm² in the right eye (RE) and 2.15 ± 0.59 mm² in the left eye (LE) and was significantly correlated with (AL). A statistically significant positive correlation was observed between the BMO area and AL in (BE) (RE: r = 0.465, p = 0.003; LE: r = 0.374, p = 0.029). Likewise, the mean BMO-MRW was RE: 325.69 ± 96 μm; LE: 339.20 ± 79.50 μm. In the RE group, there was a significant negative correlation between the inferior temporal (r = - 0.353, p = 0.027) and inferior nasal quadrants (r = - 0.424, p = 0.007) of the BMO-MRW and AL, whereas in the LE group, all the BMO-MRW quadrants were negatively correlated (p < 0.05) with AL. No significant differences were found between the RE and LE when comparing the means of the refractive error (p = 0.314), AL (p = 0.212), BMO area (p = 0.35), and BMO-MRW (p = 0.819).

Conclusion

The findings revealed that BMO area increases and BMO-MRW thickness decreases with increasing AL in high myopic eyes and may contribute to structural vulnerability of the optic nerve head, potentially increasing the risk of glaucomatous damage.