Abstract
Purpose: :
Although bevacizumab, ranibizumab and photodynamic therapy (PDT) were developed for treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), extensive subretinal hemorrhagic AMD usually need surgery for removal of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and subretinal hemorrhage, and RPE transplantation is necessary simultaneously. We developed a method to get sheet of autologous monolayer retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and translocated it onto submacular space. We want to evaluate this method for treatment of hemorrhagic AMD.
Methods: :
Thirteen hemorrhagic AMD patients were performed the surgery and followed-up 180-360 days. In the surgical procedures, subretinal hemorrhage and CNV membrane were removed, and a sheet of autologous monolayer RPE was translocated onto submacular space simultaneously. The monolayer RPE graft was got from artificial pigment epithelium detachment (PED) area by hydraulic jet in the same eyes. The visual acuity, fluorescein fundus angiography (FFA), Indocyaninegreen angiography (ICGA), optic coherence tomography (OCT) and microperimetry were examined pre- and post-operation.
Results: :
The visual acuity was improved in some patients postoperatively. FFA, ICGA and OCT showed graft being survival. The examination of microperimetry showed central fixation was confirmed in some patients.
Conclusions: :
The sheet of autologous monolayer RPE usually could be obtained in surgical procedure of hemorrhagic AMD. The transplantation of autologous monolayer RPE has the potential to be a treatment for hemorrhagic age-related macular degeneration.
Keywords: age-related macular degeneration • retinal pigment epithelium • transplantation