Myopia

Myopia is associated with faster liquefaction and earlier development of PVD. Vitreous samples taken from myopic eyes exhibit a higher concentration of MMP-2. MMPs are proteases involved in remodeling extracellular matrices, such as the vitreous. Physiologically, MMPs can facilitate cell differentiation, proliferation, and migration. Pathologically, they participate in inflammatory responses and promote angiogenesis. Premature vitreous liquefaction may be a result of increased MMP activity, leading to vitreoretinal pathologies in myopic individuals.

• Zhuang H, Zhang R, Shu Q, et al. Changes of TGF-β2, MMP-2, and TIMP-2 levels in the vitreous of patients with high myopia. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2014; 252(11):1763–1767.

Excerpted from BCSC 2020-2021 series: Section 2 - Fundamentals and Principles of Ophthalmology. For more information and to purchase the entire series, please visit https://www.aao.org/bcsc.