OCT angiography documented reperfusion of translocated autologous full thickness RPE-choroid graft for complicated neovascular age-related macular degeneration

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate the reperfusion of translocated retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)-choroid graft in the treatment of patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), using OCT angiography (OCTA), a novel non-invasive, high-resolution imaging modality.Patients and methodsEighteen eyes of 18 consecutive patients suffering from complicated nAMD underwent RPE-choroid patch graft translocation surgery using a peripheral retinotomy and flap-over technique. We analyzed functional and anatomical outcome using visual acuity, Spectral Domain OCT and OCTA.ResultsWith a mean follow-up of 11 months, out of 18 patients, 15 gained vision, 1 remained stable, and 2 lost vision. Overall, the visual acuity improved with a mean of 30 letters. Perfusion of the graft tissue was confirmed in all patients. Two patients developed signs of a recurrent neovascular membrane during follow-up. No cases of proliferative vitreoretinopathy occurred in this series.ConclusionsOCTA images show signs of perfusion in all grafts. Encouraging functional results and low risk of severe complications suggest that RPE-choroid graft translocation is a valid option in patients with complicated nAMD.