ObjectiveTo analyze the diagnostic value of multicolor scanning laser imaging (confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy, cSLO) combined with swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) for lacquer cracks (LC) and myopia stretch lines (MSL) of pathological myopia.MethodsA observational study. A total of 83 eyes of 58 patients with pathological myopia were recruited from May 2017 to January 2018 in Department of Ophthalmology of The First People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Among 58 patients, 20 were males (30 eyes) and 38 were females (53 eyes). The mean age was 50.65±12.02 (range from 24 to 70) years old; the average BCVA was 0.37±0.32; the average diopter was −11.38±4.96 D; and the average axial length was 28.91±2.15 mm. All participants underwent FFA and ICGA examination to obtain FFA, ICGA, infrared light reflection (IR) and autofluorescence (AF) images. SS-OCT was applied for scanning macular and optic disc at 9 mm × 9 mm range. cSLO was performed with macular as the center. All images were inspected carefully by three independent observers and the consistency test was detect. LC were diagnosed as hyperreflective line in FFA and hypofluorescent linear lesions in late ICGA. MSL were defined as both hypofluorescent linear lesions in FFA and late ICGA. The accuracy of each inspection item in the diagnosis of LC was detected. The optimal technique was applied with SS-OCT to further explore the detection rate of LC.ResultsThe intra-observer reproducibility was good to excellent for all measurements (Kappa=0.938, P＜0.01). The positive detection rate of LC and MSL was highest in the standard images of cSLO (77.1%), followed by SS-OCT red free (73.1%), fundus photography (72.3%), IR (72.3%) and AF (49.4%). The cSLO was optimal in the test consistency (Kappa=0.520, P＜0.01) and accuracy (the area under the receiver operating characteristic was 0.750). SS-OCT and cSLO were jointly applied to diagnosis of LC and MSL in high myopia. The positive detection rate of LC, MSL and LC+MSL were 91.7%, 91.2% and 93.3% respectively. The characteristics of LC in SS-OCT were irregularities and discontinuous of the RPE-Bruch membrane line, discontinuous inner ellipsoid zone, thinner choroid, an increased light penetrance into deeper tissues, and RPE fracture in severe cases. MSL was mainly manifested as RPE clumps, visible large choroidal vessels protruding and pushing the overlying RPE toward the vitreous.ConclusionsThe diagnosis rate of LC in pathological myopia by cSLO is 77.1%. The standard images of cSLO combined with SS-OCT can diagnose LC, MSL and LC+MSL at rates of 91.7%, 91.2% and 93.3% respectively.