Visual function after foveal translocation with 360-degree retinotomy and simultaneous torsional muscle surgery in patients with myopic neovascular maculopathy

PURPOSE: To assess functional and anatomical outcomes after foveal translocation with 360-degree retinotomy and simultaneous torsional muscle surgery in patients with myopic neovascular maculopathy. METHODS: Foveal translocation with 360-degree retinotomy was performed in 11 eyes of 11 patients with myopic neovascular maculopathy. Ten eyes had simultaneous torsional muscle surgery with recession of the superior oblique muscle and tucking of the inferior oblique muscle. Silicone oil removal with or without intraocular lens implantation was performed 2 to 8 weeks after the primary procedure. Visual acuity, binocular function, and degree of cyclotorsion were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively. Angles of retinal and globe rotation, distance of foveal shift, and surgical complications were also investigated. RESULTS: With a mean postoperative follow-up of 6.2 months (range, 3 to 13 months), vision improved (greater than 0.2 logarithm of minimal angle of resolution [logMAR] units) in eight eyes, was unchanged in two eyes, and worsened (greater than 0,2 logMAR units) in 1 eye. Seven of 11 eyes (64%) had a final visual acuity of 20/50 or better. Five patients developed or maintained binocular fusion, four patients continued to have suppression, and two patients developed diplopia that was managed by spectacles with Fresnel prisms. Subjective cyclotorsion was less than 8 degrees in 10 eyes. Mean retinal and globe rotations were 23.4 degrees and 19.8 degrees, respectively. Average size of the choroidal neovascular membrane was 0.8 disk diameter, whereas the average distance of foveal shift was 1.5 disk diameter. After the primary procedure, three eyes developed retinal detachment, one eye macular hole, and one eye proliferative vitreoretinopathy. These complications were successfully managed by additional surgery. CONCLUSION: Foveal translocation with 360-degree retinotomy is effective in restoring vision in some patients with myopic neovascular maculopathy. Although the development of torsional diplopia is generally obviated by simultaneous extraocular muscle surgery, a relatively high incidence of surgical complications should be taken into account with this procedure. (Am J Ophthalmol 2001;131:101-110, (C) 2001 by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.).