Subarachnoid space (SAS) around optic nerve can be visible with swept-source optical coherence
tomography (SS-OCT). However, the relevant factors for its visibility and width have not been reported.
In this prospective study, 193 eyes with high myopia were evaluated by SS-OCT. The relationship
between age, gender, axial length, optic disc area, parapapillary atrophy (PPA) area, peripapillary
choroidal thickness with the visibility and width of SAS were assessed. The results showed that SAS was
observed in 125 (64.8%) and not observed in 68 (35.2%) eyes. Visibility of SAS is associated with long
axial length, high myopia, thin choroid, large PPA and large optic disc areas. Among these associations,
PPA area was the only independent factor (b=0.177, p<0.001). The width of SAS was associated with
thin choroid, long axial length, large optic disc area and large PPA area. Multivariant analysis showed
that optic disc area and PPA area were independent factors for the width of SAS (b=30.8, p=0.016
and 16.2, p<0.001 respectively). These results suggested that SAS was extended into the peripapillary
region possibly due to extension of posterior sclera in high myopia.