Epiretinal implant of human amniotic membrane to treat highly myopic macular hole retinal detachments: a novel surgical technique

Purpose: To describe a new surgical technique involving the use of a human amniotic membrane (hAM) epiretinal patch to treat a primary macular hole retinal detachment (MHRD) in a highly myopic patient.Methods: A 60 years old highly myopic man was referred to our clinic with a diagnosis of MHRD in his right eye. The patient was pseudophakic, with a visual acuity of counting fingers at the baseline evaluation. Pars plana vitrectomy was performed, a small retinotomy was created at the inner margin of the staphyloma, and membrane blue dual was used to obtain an adequate peeling of the inner limiting membrane. Then, a 1.5 mm diameter circular hAM patch was obtained and positioned over the macular hole with the chorion layer settled over the retina. After a complete fluid-air exchange, 20% sulfur hexafluoride gas was used as endotamponade, and the patient was asked to remain face down for three days.Results: Four weeks after surgery, optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan showed the hAM patch, visualized as a distinct hyperreflective layer well integrated with the retina. Nine months after surgery, the macular hole was closed, the retina reattached, the hAM patch was adherent to the retina, and the patient presented a best-corrected visual acuity improved to 0.7 logMar. No postoperative adverse events were registered during the follow-up.Conclusions: Epiretinal hAM implant could represent a novel surgical technique, feasible and easier compared to other current techniques used to treat MHRD in highly myopic patients.