Autotranslocation of the pigment epithelium-choroid complex in treatment of age-related macular degeneration scarring stage

Abstract

The gold standard of the neovascular age-related macular degeneration treatment is the intravitreal administration of angiogenesis inhibitors. In subretinal macular fibrosis, antiangiogenic therapy is not effective. In such cases, subretinal surgery is used, in particular, autotranslocation of pigment epithelium-choroid complex. This paper presents a case of successful use of this method in a 77 y.o. female patient with subretinal fibrosis in the macular area as an outcome of neovascular age-related macular degeneration. An original method of translocation of pedicled pigment epithelium-choroid complex from the paramacular area to the macula was used. In 24 months, the visual acuity increased from 0.01 to 0.07; the central fixation was restored; the absolute positive central scotoma disappeared. During all the post-operative follow-up period, the full-rate pigment epithelium-choroid perfusion in the choroid of the translocated flap, the loss of choroidal neovascularization activity signs and of indications for intravitreal administration of angiogenesis inhibitors were proved.