Association between myopia and peripapillary hyperreflective ovoid mass-like structures in children

We investigated the characteristics of children with peripapillary hyperreflective ovoid mass-like structures (PHOMS) and evaluated the associated risk factors. This cross-sectional study included 132 eyes of 66 children with PHOMS and 92 eyes of 46 children without PHOMS (controls) who were assessed by disc enhanced-depth image spectral-domain (SD) optical coherence tomography (OCT). Univariable and multivariable logistic analyses were performed to evaluate risk factors associated with presence of PHOMS. Among the 66 children with PHOMS, 53 (80.3%) had bilateral and 13 (19.7%) had unilateral PHOMS. The mean age of the PHOMS group was 11.7 ± 2.6 years, and that of the control group was 11.4 ± 3.1 years. The mean spherical equivalent (SE) as determined by cycloplegic refraction was −3.13 ± 1.87 diopters (D) in the PHOMS group and −0.95 ± 2.65 D in the control group. Additionally, mean astigmatism was 0.67 ± 0.89 D and 0.88 ± 1.02 D in the PHOMS group and the control group, respectively. Mean disc size was 1,735 ± 153 µm in the PHOMS group and 1,741 ± 190 µm in the control group, while mean optic nerve head (ONH) tilt angle was 9.84 ± 5.38 degrees in the PHOMS group and 3.71 ± 4.41 degrees in the control group. SE and ONH tilt angle were significantly associated with PHOMS according to both univariable [odds ratio (OR): 1.59; p < 0.001 and OR: 1.35; p < 0.001, respectively] and multivariable (OR: 1.71; p = 0.001 and OR: 1.29; p = 0.001, respectively) logistic regression analyses. There was a significant correlation between SE and ONH tilt (r = −0.46; p < 0.001). In conclusion, PHOMS is associated with myopic shift in children, and optic disc tilt may be a mediator between myopia and PHOMS.