Changes of the triple flash electroretinogram after 360° retinotomy and macular translocation for subfoveal choroidal neovascularisation in age-related macular degeneration

Background: The aim of the present study was to evaluate potential electrophysiological changes after 360 degrees retinotomy and macular translocation for subfoveal choroidal neovascularisation in patients with age-related macular degeneration. Methods: A consecutive series of 32 patients suffering from subfoveal choroidal neovascularisation secondary to age-related macular degeneration underwent 360 degrees retinotomy and macular translocation. The scotopic triple-flash ERG (TERG) served as the main parameter of the study and was recorded one day prior to the translocation surgery and no earlier than 4 weeks after the silicone oil removal. Results: The TERG amplitudes were significantly reduced after translocation surgery. Depending on the applied flash luminance the mean amplitude reduction of the first b-wave varied between 67% (0.2 cds/m(2)) and 74% (0.03 cds/m(2)). The latency of the second b-wave of the preoperative TERG proved to have predictive power with reference to the postoperative visual acuity. A statistically significant correlation between the latency of the second b-wave for a flash intensity of 0.03 and 0.1 cds/m(2) and the postoperative visual acuity was shown (p = 0,016 and p = 0,049). Conclusions: In accordance with previous studies the present study indicates that a significant electrophysiological decrease is caused by surgical procedures associated with macular translocation. In future, due to predictive parameters of the TERG the preoperative selection of patients could be improved.