Retinal changes after macular translocation with 360-degree retinotomy in monkey eyes.

PURPOSE: To determine the morphologic and functional changes of the fovea and retina of monkey eyes after macular translocation with 360-degree retinotomy.

DESIGN: Experimental study.

METHODS: The retinas of eight monkey eyes were surgically translocated with a 360-degree retinotomy with procedures similar to those used on human eyes. At 1, 2, and 3 months after the surgery, the six eyes that had successful surgery were studied by light and transmission electron microscopy, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-dNTP terminal nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay, and immunohistochemistry with peanut agglutinin (PNA) lectin and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Retinal physiology was assessed by scotopic and photopic electroretinograms (ERGs).

RESULTS: The fovea was successfully translocated approximately 30 to 40 degrees superiorly in six eyes. The translocated macula and fovea had a normal layered architecture with no TUNEL-positive cells, minimal misalignment of the outer segments, and strong immunoreactivity to GFAP. The mean amplitudes of the scotopic and photopic b-waves were significantly reduced at 1 month after the surgery, and there was only a slight recovery at 3 months. No significant changes were observed in the mean implicit times after the surgery.

CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that macular translocation surgery with 360-degree retinotomy results in minimal morphologic alterations but significant depression of electrophysiologic function.