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Patching Peripheral Retinal Breaks on Atrophic Choroid: A Prospective Pilot Study to Prevent Redetachment.
Barbara Parolini1, Aurelio Apuzzo2, Antonio Spinelli3
1Department of Ophthalmology, Eyecare Clinic, Brescia, Italy.
Journal of Vitreoretinal Diseases
|March 2, 2026
Summary
Bovine pericardium (Tutopatch) effectively seals retinal breaks in highly myopic eyes with chorioretinal atrophy. This innovative treatment promotes retinal reattachment and visual acuity improvement, offering a new option where conventional methods fail.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Retinal Surgery
- Biomaterials in Medicine
Background:
- Peripheral retinal breaks over chorioretinal atrophy in highly myopic eyes present surgical challenges.
- Conventional treatments may be limited in these specific anatomical conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the efficacy and safety of using bovine pericardium (Tutopatch) as a sealant for retinal breaks.
- To evaluate Tutopatch in highly myopic eyes with retinal detachment (RD) over areas of chorioretinal atrophy.
Main Methods:
- A 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy with subretinal fluid drainage and silicone oil (SO) tamponade was performed.
- A trimmed Tutopatch was applied over the retinal breaks in seven highly myopic eyes.
- Follow-up included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), fundus photography, and widefield optical coherence tomography over 12 months.
Main Results:
- Complete retinal reattachment was achieved in all seven eyes, with no recurrence after SO removal.
- Median BCVA improved significantly from 0.10 (20/200) to 0.20 (20/100).
- The Tutopatch remained well-adherent without inflammation or complications, and mean IOP showed a slight increase.
Conclusions:
- Tutopatch is a safe and effective option for sealing retinal breaks in challenging locations like chorioretinal atrophy in highly myopic eyes.
- This technique shows promise in preventing redetachment in this patient population.
- Larger studies are recommended to validate these findings.
