Autologous RPE-choroid translocation in exudative AMD. A case series of 10 consecutive patients

Background. To evaluate the retinal sensitivity and fixation pattern after removal of choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) and autologous retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)-choroid translocation in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods. The functional and morphologic results of 10 consecutive patients (nine with exudative AMD, one with geographic atrophy) were analysed. The mean follow-up was 16.8 (14-20) months. Functional evaluation was performed with the MP1 microperimeter. Results. Preoperative visual acuity ranged from hand motion to 0.2 (decimal), and postoperative visual acuity ranged from hand motion to 0.4. Fixation on the graft was shown in four patients. Microperimetry proved light increment sensitivity over the graft in five patients. Light increment sensitivity could be kept on a constant level in four of these patients. Postoperative complications included retinal detachment (three), proliferative vitreoretinopathy (one), and development of CNV (one). Conclusion. Autologous RPE-choroid sheet translocation is feasible and comparatively safe. Fixation and light perception on the graft proved to be possible. Light increment sensitivity can be kept on a constant level for at least 20 months.