TREATMENT OF MACULOPATHY ASSOCIATED WITH OPTIC DISK PIT BY SPONGE EXPLANT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the anatomic and functional outcome in nine patie nts with optic disk pit maculopathy after the use of the macular buckl ing procedure, METHODS: In this prospective study, nine consecutive pa tients (five women and four men with a mean age of 28 years [range, 14 to 49 years] who had unilateral maculopathy associated with optic dis k pit) were treated with macular buckling surgery, A scleral sponge of 7.5 x 5.5 mm was fixed at the posterior pole of the globe correspondi ng to the macula along the vertical axis of the 12-to-6 o'clock meridi an, No additional treatment of any kind (laser, diathermy, or cryother apy) was used, The correct positioning of the sponge during the operat ion was monitored by B-scan ultrasonography, Within the first week aft er surgery, indocyanine green angiography was performed to evaluate th e choroidal circulation. During the same period, magnetic resonance im aging of the orbit was performed to determine the sponge position in r elation to the optic nerve, RESULTS: In all nine eyes, complete disapp earance of subretinal and intraretinal fluid in the macula and in the surrounding area was noted, The absorption of the macular fluid starte d immediately after the operation and was completed after five to six months. No further change of the appearance of the fundus was noted du ring the follow-up period, which ranged from 18 to 66 months (mean fol low-up, 42 months), Six eyes gained four or five lines of visual acuit y, and two eyes improved by three lines, CONCLUSIONS: The macular scle ral buckling procedure in optic disk pit maculopathy can yield favorab le anatomic and functional results.