Abnormalities of the Conjunctiva, Sclera, Cornea, and Anterior Chamber in Pathological Myopia

Pathological myopia is characterized by typical complications in the fundus resulting from the progression of high myopia. These complications include posterior staphyloma, myopic maculopathy, and widespread choroidal atrophy. This review aims to understand the abnormalities of the conjunctiva, sclera, cornea, and anterior chamber associated with pathological myopia.Patients with pathological myopia are found to be more prone to the dry eye syndrome. This condition is explained by increased axial length, increased proptosis, and rapid evaporation of the tear film. Children with allergic conjunctivitis are shown to have a higher risk of developing myopia and that finding is explained with induced retinal inflammation promoting myopia progression. Posterior staphyloma is one of the diagnostic features of pathological myopia, which can lead to the development of myopic maculopathy. It occurs due to changes in the curvature of the sclera. It is challenging to find a direct relationship between pathological myopia and corneal or anterior chamber abnormalities. Besides, searches for components of pathological myopia have not yielded sufficient results. Understanding the anterior segment abnormalities associated with pathological myopia can play a significant role in the treatment and management of the disease. Future researches should focus on the etiology of axial elongation and factors related to the formation of posterior staphyloma. If the pathogenesis of staphylomas can be elucidated, more specific treatment methods may be developed.