SURGICAL CORRECTION OF MACULAR DEGENERATION

  i HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH STARGARDT'S MACULAR DEGENERATION.  i AM CURRENTLY 42 YEARS OLD AND EXPERIENCED PROGRESSIVE LOSS OF VISION SINCE AGE 18.  I HAVE RECENTLY BEEN TOLD BY ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL WITH MACULAR DEGENERATION THAT THERE IS SURGICAL PROCEDURE (TRANSLOCATION?) THAT COULD RESTORE VISION?  i HAVE ALSO BEEN TOLD THAT THERE IS A CLINIC IN FLORIDA CURRENTLY PERFORMING THIS PROCEDURE, BUT THAT THE SURGERY IS TRAUMATIC TO THE EYE AND COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF THE EYE.  CAN YOU GIVE ME DIRECTION ON THSI?
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Gloria,
There are several institutions which perform retinal translocation for macular degeneration.  This is still a procedure which needs more clinical experience to be considered a standard.  It moves the damaged part of the retina to a new healthier location.  There are several potential problems after the surgery, but it can help certain types of macular degeneration.
Stargart's disease is a genetic degeneration of part of the retina and the mechanism of damage is different from macular degeneration.  Macular translocation is currently not an option.
This information is provided for educational purposes only.  Please consult your ophthalmologist for diagnostic and treatment options.
sincerely,
HFHS MD -NI