Does a leopard-like change on examination always mean high myopia?

Leopard’s foot changes are not necessarily due to high myopia. Leopard’s foot refers to a pigmentation disorder in the fundus of the eye. Simple leopard’s foot changes are usually seen in the elderly and are not necessarily caused by high myopia. In the elderly, the small blood vessels in the choroid tend to atrophy, and the fundus will appear leopard-like changes, which usually do not require treatment, but are only a morphological description of the fundus. However, the leopard-like changes in the fundus can also be seen in patients with high myopia, who also have choroidal atrophy arcs, which are white scleral tissue exposed directly by the absence of the retina around the optic nerve. Patients with high myopia should be examined for macular atrophy, the presence of which directly affects the patient’s central vision. In summary, leopard-like changes and high myopia are not necessarily equated, and patients with abnormal fundus exams are advised to seek prompt medical attention, evaluate their condition, and follow doctor’s instructions for treatment.