Concurrent vitrectomy for persistent pupillary membrane complicated by severe myopia and vitreomacular traction syndrome: A case report

INTRODUCTION: In cases of persistent pupillary membrane (PPM), the eye is usually slightly microphthalmic and emmetropia or hyperopia is often present, yet severe myopia is reportedly rare. Here we presented a case of PPM complicated by vitreomacular traction syndrome and posterior staphyloma due to severe myopia. PATIENT CONCERNS: This study involved a 63-year-old female patient who had been diagnosed with bilateral PPM at a local eye clinic and who was subsequently referred to our department for a more detailed examination due to a recent decrease of visual acuity. DIAGNOSES: Slit-lamp microscopy examination revealed bilateral PPM. The ocular fundus revealed peripapillary conus and myopic change in both eyes. Optical coherence tomography examination revealed no particular abnormalities in the right eye, yet did show findings indicative of vitreomacular traction syndrome in the left eye. INTERVENTIONS: In both eyes, we performed surgical removal of the PPM, phacoemulsification aspiration, and intraocular lens implantation, yet in the patient's left eye, vitrectomy was also performed. OUTCOMES: After surgery, the patient's visual acuity improved in both eyes. CONCLUSION: The findings in this case show that when required, vitrectomy should be considered based upon the preoperative Optical coherence tomography findings for PPM.