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Some surgical procedures rendered obsolete by intravitreal injection
 François Korobelnik |
LONDON — Many surgical procedures have become outdated since the introduction of intravitreal injections for the treatment of various retinal conditions, a specialist said here.
"Once upon a time, we did surgical removal of CNV in AMD, limited translocation or 360º retinotomy and translocation in AMD, radial optic neurotomy in CRVO, vitrectomy with or without sheathotomy in BRVO, vitrectomy in diffuse nontractional DME, vitrectomy in stage 2 macular holes," François Korobelnik, MD, OSN European Editorial Board Member, said at the Euretina meeting.
Dr. Korobelnik noted that these surgical procedures required technical virtuosity, a complicated armamentarium and an intricate decision-making process.
"We had a lot of discussion on whether or not to do surgery, on whether to do translocation with large retinal incisions or small or no retinal incision, with 360º retinotomy or large posterior retinotomy. We did translocation with scleral shortening, and there was a debate on whether to fold the sclera inside or outside," he said. "We had a lot of fun, but things change. Intravitreal injections are definitely the winners."
- Disclosure: Dr. Korobelnik is a consultant for Alcon, Allergan, Bayer, Bausch + Lomb, Novartis and Théa and is an investigator for Novartis, Bayer and Alcon.