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

Abstract

PURPOSE: To report the results of three methods of foveal translocation in the presence of subfoveal choroidal neovascular membrane resulting from age-related macular degeneration. METHODS: We treated 51 eyes of 51 consecutive patients with subfoveal choroidal neovascular membranes resulting from age-related macular degeneration with one of three techniques of foveal translocation surgery: foveal translocation with partial retinotomy (n = 6), limited translocation (n = 9), and translocation with 360-degree retinotomy (n = 36). All patients were followed for at least 6 months postoperatively. The size of the choroidal neovascular membrane and the amount of foveal displacement, the best-corrected visual acuity, and complications were recorded preoperatively and postoperatively. RESULTS: The mean distance of the foveal translocation was greater in the 360-degree retinotomy group (3340 μm) than in the partial retinotomy (1060 μm, P < .001) and the limited translocation groups (1120 μm, P < .001). A final visual acuity of 20/200 or better was achieved in two eyes (33%) in the partial retinotomy group, seven eyes (78%) in the limited translocation group, and 23 eyes (64%) in the 360-degree retinotomy group. The final visual acuity improved by 0.2 logarithm of minimal angle of resolution (logMAR) unit or more in one eye (17%), one eye (11%), and seven eyes (19%), respectively. The final visual acuity was maintained within 1 line in zero eyes, five eyes (56%), and 19 eyes (53%), respectively. A retinal detachment developed postoperatively in five eyes (83%), zero eyes (0%), and 15 eyes (42%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A significant number of patients improved or maintained best-corrected visual acuity after translocation with 360-degree retinotomy, and limited translocation, whereas translocation with 360-degree retinotomy is suitable for larger choroidal neovascular membranes because it resulted in the greatest foveal displacement among the three translocation procedures.