Foveal translocation for exudative age related macular degeneration

Morphologic and angiographic assessment of the macula after macular translocation surgery with 360 degrees retinotomy

PURPOSE

To compare the optical coherence tomographic assessment of retinal thickness and the fluorescein angiographic appearance after macular translocation surgery for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization.

DESIGN

Retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series.

PARTICIPANTS

Twenty-three consecutive eyes.

INTERVENTION AND TESTING

Optical coherence tomography and fluorescein angiography were performed before and 6 to 15 months (mean +/- standard error [SE], 10.4+/-0.7) after macular translocation surgery with a 360 degrees retinotomy in 23 patients, ages 48 to 79 years, with age-related macular degeneration (12 eyes), polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (2 eyes), and high myopia (9 eyes). The diameter of the choroidal neovascularizations ranged from 0.3 to 2.6 disc diameters (mean +/- SE, 1.2+/-0.2), and the angle of rotation of the retina ranged from 11 degrees to 45 degrees (mean +/- SE, 29.1+/-2.1 degrees ).

RESULTS

The preoperative best-corrected visual acuity ranged from hand motions to 20/100, and the postoperative best-corrected visual acuity ranged from 20/667 to 20/25. Optical coherence tomography demonstrated a concave foveal configuration after surgery in all 23 eyes, with a mean foveal thickness of 150+/-11 micro m (mean +/- SE). Fluorescein angiography showed various degrees of fluorescein leakage with a pattern similar to cystoid macular edema in 16 of 23 eyes (70%).

CONCLUSIONS

The newly located macula after macular translocation surgery with a 360 degrees retinotomy had cystoid macular edema on fluorescein angiography and normal macular configuration with normal thickness in optical coherence tomography.

Initial experience of inferior limited macular translocation for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization resulting from causes other than age-related macular degeneration

PURPOSE

To report our initial experience of inferior limited macular translocation in patients with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization resulting from causes other than age-related macular degeneration.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study of 23 eyes of 22 patients with choroidal neovascularization involving the foveal center secondary to pathologic myopia (11 eyes), ocular histoplasmosis syndrome (four eyes), angioid streaks (four eyes), idiopathic neovascularization (three eyes), and multifocal choroiditis (one eye), in which the fovea was moved inferiorly by means of limited macular translocation surgery. The mean preoperative best-corrected visual acuity was 20/150, and in five of 23 eyes (21.7%) the visual acuity was 20/80 or better. The major outcome measures were preoperative and postoperative visual acuity, postoperative foveal displacement, and complications related to the surgery.

RESULTS

The mean postoperative follow-up was 10.82 months (range, 6 to 18 months). Postoperative best-corrected visual acuity improved by 2 or more Snellen lines of visual acuity in 11 of 23 eyes (47.82%), remained within 1 line in seven of 23 eyes (30.43%), and worsened 2 or more lines of vision in five of 23 eyes (21.74%). The mean postoperative best-corrected visual acuity was 20/100, and in 12 of the 23 eyes (52.17%) the visual acuity achieved was 20/80 or better. Retinal detachment was the most frequent complication and occurred in six eyes (26%).

CONCLUSIONS

Our initial experience with limited macular translocation shows that this treatment modality offers the potential to improve visual function in some eyes with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to myopia, ocular histoplasmosis syndrome, angioid streaks, idiopathic neovascularization, and multifocal choroiditis. Although longer and more complete follow-up is needed, the results of this initial series warrant further studies to define the precise role of macular translocation in the management of these conditions.