title: Retinal stimuli can be restored after autologous transplant of retinal pigment epithelium and choroid in pigment epithelium tears.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the functional and anatomical outcome of patients undergoing autologous transplant of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and choroid after RPE tear secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from nine eyes of nine patients were analysed retrospectively. Examinations included fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography, fundus autofluorescence imaging, optical coherence tomography, microperimetry and determination of visual acuity (far and reading ability). Data regarding intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded. Mean follow-up time was 18 months (range 4 months to 5 years).
  
  
  RESULTS
  After surgery, far visual acuity improved or remained stable (±3 lines) in three of nine eyes and for the near visual acuity in three of nine eyes. Visual acuity decreased postoperatively at the last follow-up in four eyes mainly because of postoperative complications, i.e. retinal detachment due to proliferative vitreoretinopathy, retinal artery occlusion, pucker and fibrosis of the graft. In one case, retinal stimuli were restored over the scotoma as seen in microperimetry.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Autologous transplant of RPE and choroid is a therapy option for RPE tears. Retinal stimuli can be restored in selected cases. Numerous intra- and postoperative complications compromise the functional prognosis and outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Vitreo-Retinal Surgery, Center of Ophthalmology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany. acaramoy@yahoo.co.uk
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Caramoy
authors.forename: Sascha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fauser
authors.forename: Bernd
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kirchhof
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002829:Choroid / Q000637:transplantation*; D004396:Coloring Agents; D058450:Endotamponade / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007208:Indocyanine Green; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012160:Retina / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012167:Retinal Perforations / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D055213:Retinal Pigment Epithelium / Q000637:transplantation*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D058471:Subretinal Fluid; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology; D058609:Visual Field Tests
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents; D007208:Indocyanine Green