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 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 posts operatively. - RESULTS: The mean distance of the foveal translocation was greater in the 360,degree retinotomy group (3340 mum) than in the partial retinotomy (1060 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%) 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 I 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. (C) 2001 by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.