Rapid recurrence of geographic atrophy after full macular translocation for nonexudative age-related macular degeneration

Objective: To report the recurrence of geographic atrophy (GA) in a patient with nonexudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) after full macular translocation. Design: Observational case report. Methods: Review of the clinical, photographic, and angiographic records of a patient with GA who underwent full macular translocation. Main Outcome Measures: Progression of GA. Results: A 73-year-old man with GA secondary to nonexudative AMD underwent a macular translocation with 360 peripheral retinectomy (MT 360) in his left eye. On postoperative month 4, funclus photography showed subtle alterations of the pigment underneath the translocated foveal region. On postoperative month 9, the visual acuity worsened to preoperative levels and there was frank retinal pigment epithelium atrophy involving the new macular region. Conclusions: The rapid recurrence and development of GA in the translocated fovea after MT360 raise new questions regarding the pathogenesis of GA. They also raise concerns regarding the use of MT 360 in the management of nonexudative AMD.