Treatment Overview
Retinal Translocation Evaluation for AMD in Korea is a specialized assessment for patients with advanced Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) who may benefit from surgical retinal translocation—a procedure that repositions the macula or retinal tissue to healthier areas to improve vision or reduce the impact of subfoveal neovascular lesions. The evaluation focuses on determining suitability, risks, and expected visual outcomes prior to surgery.
In Korea, retinal translocation evaluation combines advanced imaging, functional testing, and AI-assisted surgical planning:
- Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) for detailed retinal layer analysis
- OCT-Angiography (OCT-A) to assess choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and macular perfusion
- Fundus photography and fundus autofluorescence (FAF) to evaluate retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) status
- Electrophysiology tests (ERG, mfERG) to assess retinal function
- AI-assisted simulation to predict visual outcomes and determine optimal translocation strategies
- Integration with systemic health assessment to evaluate surgical risk
- Digital treatment planning to optimize post-operative rehabilitation and adjunct therapies
Retinal translocation evaluation in Korea emphasizes precision, safety, and personalized surgical planning for patients with advanced AMD.
Purpose & Benefits
Purpose
- Determine candidacy for retinal translocation surgery
- Map viable retinal areas and assess RPE health
- Predict visual outcomes and potential functional gain
- Identify risk factors for surgical complications
- Integrate imaging and functional assessments to optimize planning
- Plan adjunctive treatments such as anti-VEGF therapy or PDT
Benefits
- Provides comprehensive pre-surgical assessment for AMD patients
- Reduces surgical risk by optimizing patient selection
- AI-assisted simulations improve accuracy of outcome predictions
- Enables personalized surgical planning and postoperative care
- Supports integration with multimodal therapy for better results
- Non-invasive evaluation with minimal discomfort
- Early identification of patients unlikely to benefit from surgery
Ideal Candidates
Retinal Translocation Evaluation in Korea is ideal for:
- Patients with advanced or end-stage wet AMD
- Individuals with subfoveal choroidal neovascular membranes causing severe vision loss
- Patients with RPE atrophy or scarring in the central macula
- Individuals considering surgical intervention to restore or preserve vision
- Patients with persistent CNV despite anti-VEGF or PDT therapy
- High-risk AMD patients requiring objective assessment for surgical planning
Possible Risks & Complications
Minor / Transient Issues
- Mild eye fatigue during functional testing
- Temporary blurred vision after pupil dilation
- Discomfort during imaging or electrophysiology tests
Rare / Serious Risks
- Very rare adverse reactions to pupil-dilating agents
- Minimal risk associated with non-invasive imaging procedures
- Misinterpretation of test results if not combined with multimodal imaging (mitigated by AI-assisted analysis)
How Korean Clinics Minimize Risks
- Experienced retinal specialists performing and interpreting tests
- High-resolution OCT, OCT-A, FAF, and functional testing for comprehensive assessment
- AI-assisted analysis for objective evaluation and surgical simulation
- Integration of systemic and ocular health assessment to minimize surgical risk
- Thorough patient education and counseling on expectations
Related Diagnostic & Treatment Techniques
- Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) – Evaluate retinal thickness and layers
- OCT-Angiography (OCT-A) – Detect CNV and macular perfusion
- Fundus Photography & Fundus Autofluorescence (FAF) – Assess RPE integrity
- Electroretinography (ERG, mfERG) – Functional assessment of retinal activity
- Visual Field and Microperimetry – Map retinal sensitivity and fixation stability
- Anti-VEGF Therapy – Pre- or post-surgical adjunct for CNV
- Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) – Optional adjunct for CNV control
- AI-assisted surgical planning – Simulate retinal translocation outcomes
Treatment Process in Korea
Step 1 – Pre-Evaluation Assessment
- Comprehensive eye examination including visual acuity and intraocular pressure
- Baseline OCT, OCT-A, FAF, and fundus photography
- Functional testing: ERG, microperimetry, visual field assessment
- AI-assisted simulation of retinal translocation outcome
- Discussion of risks, expected results, and surgical options
Step 2 – Evaluation Procedure
- Non-invasive imaging and functional testing performed
- AI-assisted analysis of retinal structure, RPE health, and macular perfusion
- Multi-disciplinary review by retina specialists and surgical team
- Individualized surgical planning if patient deemed suitable
Step 3 – Follow-Up & Decision-Making
- Review of test results and AI simulation outcomes
- Determination of eligibility for retinal translocation surgery
- Planning adjunctive treatments as necessary
- Patient counseling on visual prognosis and recovery expectations
Duration: 60–120 minutes
Setting: Outpatient retina clinic with multimodal imaging and electrophysiology facilities
Recovery & After-Care
After-Care Guidelines
- No invasive intervention during evaluation; no downtime required
- Temporary blurred vision may occur if pupils are dilated
- Attend follow-up consultations for discussion of results
- Report any sudden vision changes immediately
Recovery Timeline
- Immediate: Normal vision after imaging once pupils return to baseline
- 1–2 Weeks: Functional assessment results fully interpreted
- Long-Term: Integration with surgical or medical treatment plans as indicated
Results & Longevity
Expected Results
- Comprehensive assessment of retinal structure, function, and surgical feasibility
- Objective prediction of visual outcomes after retinal translocation
- Identification of patients most likely to benefit from surgery
- Optimized surgical planning and postoperative strategies
Longevity
- Evaluation results remain relevant until AMD progresses significantly
- Re-evaluation recommended if disease status changes before surgery
- Supports long-term decision-making for advanced AMD management
Why Korea Is a Top Destination
- Highly experienced retinal surgeons specialized in advanced AMD
- Access to state-of-the-art OCT, OCT-A, FAF, and functional testing equipment
- AI-assisted simulations for personalized surgical planning
- Integration of multimodal imaging with functional assessment
- English-friendly clinics with structured patient counseling
- Multidisciplinary approach to AMD management including surgical evaluation
Unique Korean Innovations
- AI-guided retinal translocation outcome simulation
- Multimodal imaging integration (OCT, OCT-A, FAF, microperimetry)
- Personalized risk assessment and surgical planning
- Digital dashboards for longitudinal patient tracking
- Early identification of surgical candidates and optimization of visual outcomes
- Combination planning with anti-VEGF and PDT for resistant AMD
Cost Range (Indicative Estimate)
| Package | Price (KRW) | Approx. USD | Inclusions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retinal Translocation Evaluation | ₩800,000 – ₩1,500,000 | ~$615 – $1,150 | OCT + OCT-A + FAF + ERG + microperimetry + AI simulation |
| Comprehensive Multimodal Assessment | ₩1,200,000 – ₩2,000,000 | ~$920 – $1,540 | Full imaging + functional tests + consultation + surgical planning |
| Follow-Up Review & Surgical Planning | ₩300,000 – ₩600,000 | ~$230 – $460 | Post-evaluation report + AI analysis + treatment recommendations |
Popular Clinics in Korea
- Kim’s Eye Hospital Retina Center (Seoul)
- Gangnam Severance Hospital Retina Clinic
- Seoul National University Hospital Ophthalmology Center
- B&VIIT Eye Center (Gangnam)
- BGN Eye Clinic (Seoul & Busan)
- NUNE Eye Hospital (Daegu)
- Glory Seoul Eye Clinic
- Dream Eye Center (Seoul)
