GORE-TEX VASCULAR GRAFT FOR MACULAR BUCKLING IN HIGH MYOPIA EYES

Purpose: To evaluate a new application of an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (Gore-Tex) vascular graft for use in macular buckling surgery for treatment of highly myopic eyes. Methods: The Gore-Tex vascular graft was used as a macular buckling material in eight consecutive cases of myopic macular diseases which included fovea detachment, foveoschisis, or macular hole retinal detachment. Results: Retinal reattachment was achieved in all cases except one which had partial resolution (88%). The postoperative best-corrected visual acuity ranged from 20/2000 to 20/100 depending on the degree preexisting macular degeneration, and significant better than the preoperative best-corrected visual acuity ( P = 0.048, paired t -test). During the follow-up period, which ranged from 8 months to 3 years, no eye developed buckle-related complications such as infection or dislocation. Conclusion: The initial pilot results from this series using a Gore-Tex graft for macular buckling is promising. Throughout the follow-up period, the Gore-Tex was well tolerated in the highly myopic eyes. Large scale and long-term follow-up is warranted.