Comparison of three techniques of foveal translocation in patients with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization resulting from age-related macular degeneration

- PURPOSE: To report the results of three methods of foveal translocation i n the presence of subfoveal choroidal neovascular membrane resulting from a ge related macular degeneration. - METHODS: We treated 51 eyes of 51 consecutive patients with subfoveal cho roidal neovascular membranes resulting from age-related macular degeneratio n with one of three techniques of foveal translocation surgery: foveal tran slocation with partial retinotomy (n = 6), limited translocation (n = 9), a nd translocation with 360-degree retinotomy (n = 36). All patients were fol lowed for at least 6 months postoperatively. The size of the choroidal neov ascular membrane and the amount of foveal displacement, the best,corrected visual acuity, and complications were recorded preoperatively and posts ope ratively. - RESULTS: The mean distance of the foveal translocation was greater in the 360,degree retinotomy group (3340 mum) than in the partial retinotomy (106 0 mum, P < .001) and the limited translocation groups (1120 mum, P < .001). A final visual acuity of 20/200 or better was achieved in two eyes (33%) i n the partial retinotomy group, seven eyes (78%) in the limited translocati on group, and 23 eyes (64%) in the 360,degree retinotomy group. The final v isual acuity improved by 0.2 logarithm of minimal angle of resolution (logM AR) unit or more in one eye (17%), one eye (11%), and seven eyes (19%), res pectively. The final visual acuity was maintained within I line in zero eye s, five eyes (56%), and 19 eyes (53%), respectively. A retinal detachment d eveloped postoperatively in five eyes (83%), zero eyes (0%), and 15 eyes (4 2%), respectively. - CONCLUSIONS: A significant number of patients improved or maintained best corrected visual acuity after translocation with 360-degree retinotomy, an d limited translocation, whereas translocation with 360 degree retinotomy i s suitable for larger choroidal neovascular membranes because it resulted i n the greatest foveal displacement among the three translocation procedures . (C) 2001 by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.