[Macular translocation--first experience]

The age related macular degeneration (ARMD) is the most common cause of the central visual acuity loss in persons of age more than 60 years in the well developed countries. Rotation of the macula is nowadays a progressive method of choice of treatment of the exsudative form of ARMD. The aim of this surgical technique is to relocate the neuroretinal epithelium of the central region of the retina to a position situated outside the border of the subfoveolar lesion. Three eyes of three patients (2 woman and one man) were operated on during the period between March and May 2001 at the Department of Ophthalmology of the School of Medicine, Charles University in Pilsen. The method used was the scleral imbrication, which belongs to methods designated as "limited translocation". The mean age of the patients was 62 years and the follow up period was 2 years. After the surgery the relocation of the fovea was observed in all three eyes. In two eyes, the postoperative period was complicated by tractional retinal detachment that occurred three weeks after the surgery as a consequence of progressive proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). Both eyes with the retinal detachment were re-operated. In both of them, the repeated pars plana vitrectomy, epiretinal membranes removal with relaxing retinectomy was performed and after maximal mobilization of the retina, the silicone oil implantation followed. In the second patient, the postoperative period was complicated by elevation of the intraocular pressure and a radial retinal fold running from the encircling buckle indentation up to the macula. Slightly improved function was noticed only in the first patient after following cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation. In the two other eyes, as noticed at the last follow up check, the postoperative complications caused severe decrease of the central visual acuity although the retina remained attached. Macular translocation procedure is in stage of development and its surgical techniques are being further modified. The risk of postoperative complications with profound loss of central visual acuity corresponds to the level of the technical difficulty and extent of surgical intervention.