Duke Macular Translocation Study group reports recurrence rates

May 4

- Fort Lauderdale, FL - There is a low rate of recurrent choroidal neovascularization (CNV) over 2 years in eyes that undergo macular translocation surgery with 360-degree peripheral retinectomy (MT-360) for exudative age-related macular degeneration, said Claxton A Baer, MD.

He presented data from a series of 64 eyes of 64 participants in the Duke Macular Translocation study. That prospective, noncomparative trial enrolled second eyes of patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration who were ineligible for or failed nonsurgical treatment.

Among 56 eyes seen at 2 years, 14 (25%) had developed recurrent CNV. No eyes developed geographic atrophy. Most cases of recurrence occurred within the first 9 months after surgery, only 2 patients developed recurrence after 1 year, and there were no new recurrences between 18 and 24 months. Thirteen of the 14 recurrences occurred from the old CNV bed and all crossed the margin of the old CNV bed.

Median visual acuity for the 14 eyes with recurrent CNV was 20/200 versus 20/80 for those without recurrence.

"We recommend close surveillance for recurrence in the first year after this surgery with special attention to the foveal side of the CNV bed as early recognition and new methods of treatment for CNV may prevent vision loss in this subgroup and improve overall outcomes," Dr. Baer said.