Surgical technique restoring vision.

Myopic Macular Detachment: A Novel Surgical Fix

Mira Elwood in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 3 min read.

"Customized macular buckling offers hope for severe myopia-related vision loss."

High myopia, or severe nearsightedness, can lead to a range of vision-threatening complications, including macular detachment. This occurs when the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision, separates from the underlying tissue. The detachment causes distorted vision or significant vision loss. Traditional treatments can be challenging and may not always provide optimal results, particularly in eyes with extreme myopia.

A recent research article highlights a promising surgical approach to address myopic macular detachment. This approach uses a customized macular buckling technique. This technique aims to relieve traction on the macula, allowing it to reattach and restore vision.

This article explores this innovative surgical technique, detailing how it's performed and the positive outcomes reported in a case study. Learn how this customized approach offers new hope for individuals struggling with vision loss due to myopic macular detachment.

Customized Macular Buckling: A Step-by-Step Approach

The study describes a case involving a 73-year-old woman with high myopia and an upper macular detachment. The surgical procedure involved a 23-gauge vitrectomy, a common eye surgery to access the retina. This allowed the surgeon to release any vitreo-retinal tractions, forces pulling on the retina that contribute to the detachment.

The key to this technique lies in the placement of a customized NPB (Nitinol Posterior Buckle) macular buckle. The buckle is positioned over the detached region of the macula. A standard vitrectomy light, modified for precise placement, ensures optimal positioning.

Vitrectomy: Creates access and releases traction.
NPB Macular Buckle: Supports the detached macula.
Vitrectomy Light: Provides precise positioning.

Following the procedure, the eye was filled with a gas tamponade (12% C3F8) to aid in reattachment. Two months post-surgery, the patient experienced significant improvement. Her vision improved from peripheral hand motion to 0.16, and the bothersome metamorphopsia (visual distortion) decreased.

Hope for High Myopia

This case highlights the potential of customized macular buckling as a viable option for treating myopic macular detachment. By addressing the underlying traction and providing support to the macula, this technique offers a pathway to visual improvement for those affected by severe myopia.

While further research and larger studies are needed to validate these findings, this approach represents a significant step forward in managing this challenging condition. It provides hope for improved vision and quality of life for individuals with high myopia and macular detachment.

If you are experiencing vision changes related to high myopia, discuss this and other potential treatment options with your ophthalmologist to determine the best course of action for your individual needs.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.jfo.2018.04.002, Alternate LINK

Title: Customized Macular Buckling Technique In A Highly Myopic Patient

Subject: Ophthalmology

Journal: Journal Français d'Ophtalmologie

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: M.I. Relimpio-López, A.M. Garrido-Hermosilla

Published: 2018-09-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is myopic macular detachment, and why does it occur?

Myopic macular detachment occurs when the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision, separates from the underlying tissue due to high myopia (severe nearsightedness). This separation can lead to distorted vision or significant vision loss. It's a serious complication of high myopia that requires specialized treatment.

How does customized macular buckling work to treat myopic macular detachment?

Customized macular buckling is a surgical technique used to treat myopic macular detachment. It involves performing a vitrectomy to release traction on the retina and placing a customized NPB (Nitinol Posterior Buckle) macular buckle to support the detached macula. A vitrectomy light assists in precise placement, and a gas tamponade (12% C3F8) is used post-surgery to aid reattachment. This approach aims to relieve traction, allowing the macula to reattach and restore vision.

What is the role of the NPB (Nitinol Posterior Buckle) macular buckle in the surgical procedure, and why is it so important?

The customized NPB (Nitinol Posterior Buckle) macular buckle is a key component of the surgical technique. It is precisely positioned over the detached region of the macula to provide support. This support is crucial as it counteracts the traction forces that caused the detachment, allowing the macula to reattach to the underlying tissue. Without the buckle, the macula might not heal correctly, leading to continued vision problems.

What is a vitrectomy, and why is it performed as part of the customized macular buckling procedure?

A vitrectomy is a surgical procedure performed to access the retina and release any vitreo-retinal tractions, which are forces pulling on the retina that contribute to the detachment. During a vitrectomy, the vitreous gel (the clear gel that fills the eye) is removed, allowing the surgeon to work directly on the retina. It's often a necessary step in addressing macular detachment.

What kind of improvements can be expected after undergoing customized macular buckling for myopic macular detachment?

The improvements noted post-surgery, such as an increase in visual acuity and a decrease in metamorphopsia (visual distortion), indicate that the customized macular buckling technique can be effective in treating myopic macular detachment. These positive outcomes suggest that relieving traction on the macula and providing support with the NPB macular buckle can facilitate reattachment and improve visual function. However, it's important to note that individual results may vary.