Foveal sensitivity and fixation stability before and after macular translocation with 360-degree retinotomy

PURPOSE: To evaluate the functional changes of the fovea by scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO) fundus perimetry after macular translocation with 360-degree retinotomy, and to determine whether the preoperative macular function estimated by the sensitivity of the fovea and the stability of fixation can predict visual acuity after the surgery. METHODS: Macular translocation with 360-degree retinotomy and simultaneous torsional muscle surgery were performed on 25 eyes of 25 patients with choroidal neovascularization. The index of foveal sensitivity (Isens) and the index of fixation stability (Ifix) before and after surgery were calculated from the microperimetric data. The preoperative Isens and Ifix were compared with postoperative Isens and Ifix, respectively. The correlations of preoperative Isens and Ifix with the visual acuity after the translocation surgery (VApost) were calculated. RESULTS: Isens increased in 14 (56%) of 25 eyes. Ifix improved in 10 (40%) of 25 eyes. The preoperative Isens and VApost were moderately correlated (r = 0.434, P = 0.0295), while the preoperative Ifix and VApost were highly correlated (r = - 0.530, P = 0.0057). CONCLUSION: An increase in foveal sensitivity and an improvement in the fixation stability were demonstrated quantitatively by microperimetry. The preoperative foveal sensitivity and fixation stability were correlated with the postoperative visual acuity. Microperimetry using SLO can be used to investigate foveal function before and after the translocation and to predict the postoperative visual acuity.