Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of blindness in developed countries. A small proportion of patients with AMD have wet AMD. Wet AMD is characterised by the abnormal growth of blood vessels in the choroid layer underneath the macular part of the retina. These vessels can threaten vision if they leak and cause scarring.
Current treatments for wet AMD include laser photocoagulation, photodynamic therapy, intravitreal injections of antivascular endothelial growth factor agents and implantation of miniature lens systems. Patients with advanced disease may benefit from optical aids such as magnifying glasses.
The aim of limited macular translocation for wet AMD is to move the macula so that it lies over a healthier part of the choroid layer that is unaffected by neovascularisation. The technique was developed as a less invasive alternative to macular translocation with 360° retinotomy.
Limited macular translocation involves making a short incision in the retina to allow fluid to be injected under the retina, so detaching it from the underlying choroid. The outer layers of the eye are then folded and secured with a stitch (sclera imbrication) so that the underlying choroid layer is moved slightly in relation to the macula.
Sections 2.3 and 2.4 describe efficacy and safety outcomes from the published literature that the Committee considered as part of the evidence about this procedure. For more detailed information on the evidence, see the overview.
A case series of 151 patients reported that 41% (35 out of 86) of patients had best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20 out of 100 or better, and 40% (34 out of 86) of patients had improved BCVA by 2 or more lines at 12-month follow-up (mean BCVA at baseline was 20 out of 160). A non-randomised controlled study of 65 patients reported that mean improvement in BCVA was significantly greater following limited macular translocation (+0.5 lines; n=21) than following photodynamic therapy (-3.4 lines; n=20) at 12-month follow-up (p=0.007).
In the case series of 101 patients, 60% (52 out of 86) of eyes achieved median foveal displacement of 1,200 micrometres at 12-month follow-up (described as 'effective' translocation). A case series of 25 patients reported median foveal displacement of 1,142 micrometres (described as 'successful' translocation) in 68% (17 out of 25) of patients (follow-up not stated).
In the non-randomised controlled study of 65 patients, recurrence of neovascularisation was reported in 13 eyes treated by limited macular translocation at mean follow-up of 4.8 months.
The Specialist Advisers listed key efficacy outcomes as visual acuity, reading speed, quality of life and recurrence of the condition.
The non-randomised controlled study of 65 patients reported that 38% of eyes treated by limited macular translocation (n=36) experienced 1 or more postoperative complications (absolute figures not stated). A mean BCVA loss of 4.8 lines was reported for these eyes.
In the non-randomised controlled study of 65 patients, retinal detachment due to a peripheral tear, and requiring additional surgery, was reported in 5 eyes among the 36 patients treated by limited macular translocation at a mean follow-up of 3.2 months. Postoperative retinal detachment occurred in 16% (25 out of 153) of eyes in a case series of 151 patients at follow-up between 1 and 13 weeks, with 84% (21 out of 25) of these requiring additional surgery. The frequency of retinal detachment decreased significantly in patients treated later in the series (p=0.006). A retinal break (not otherwise described) was reported in 8% (13 out of 153) of eyes in the case series of 151 patients.
Intermittent or continuous diplopia after limited macular translocation was reported in 6% (14 out of 250) of patients in a case series of 250 patients (management and follow-up not stated). Diplopia was reported in 1 patient in a case report of 2 patients (symptoms resolved without additional surgery by 5-month follow-up).
The Specialist Advisers identified suprachoroidal haemorrhage as an adverse event reported in the literature. They listed anecdotal or observed adverse events as cataract and persistent retinal fold in the macular area. They considered theoretical events to include endophthalmitis.
The Committee noted that intravitreal injections of antivascular endothelial growth factor agents are more commonly used for the treatment of AMD than surgical techniques. For more information, see NICE's technology appraisal guidance on ranibizumab and pegaptanib for the treatment of AMD.