Dj. Pieramici et al., Limited inferior macular translocation for the treatment of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration, AM J OPHTH, 130(4), 2000, pp. 419-428
PURPOSE: To review a series of patients with age-related macular degenerati
on undergoing limited macular translocation for the treatment of subfoveal
choroidal neovascularization, to determine short-term visual acuity outcome
s, to measure amounts of attainable retinal movement, and to identify progn
ostic factors.
METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted on a consecutive series of pa
tients undergoing inferior limited macular translocation with scleral imbri
cation for the treatment of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondar
y to age-related macular degeneration. The main outcome measures investigat
ed were distance of macular translocation, visual acuity at 3 and 6 months
after surgery, change in visual acuity from baseline, and the development o
f intraoperative and postoperative complications. Univariate and multivaria
te analyses of a number of potential prognostic factors were undertaken.
RESULTS: Macular translocation was achieved in all 102 eyes (101 patients)
included in this study. The range of movement varied from 200 to 2,800 pm w
ith a median movement of 1,200 mu m Nearly 33% of the study group achieved
a visual acuity better than 20/100 at 3 months, and 49% achieved this visio
n at 6 months. At 3 and 6 months, 37% and 48% of the study group, respectiv
ely, experienced 2 or more lines of improvement on visual acuity testing, a
nd by 6 months 16% experienced greater than 6 lines of visual improvement.
Good baseline vision, achieving the desired amount of macular translocation
, a greater amount of macular translocation, and recurrent choroidal neovas
cularization at baseline were associated with better visual acuities at 3 a
nd 6 months. Poor preoperative vision and the development of complications
were associated with worse vision at 3 and 6 months.
CONCLUSIONS: Limited macular translocation is a technically feasible proced
ure that can lead to significant visual improvement and good visual acuity
in some patients presenting with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization ass
ociated with age-related macular degeneration. A randomized prospective cli
nical trial of this surgical technique is warranted. (C) 2000 by Elsevier S
cience Inc. All rights reserved.