Preliminary efficacy and safety results of a new macular buckle model (NPB®) in myopic traction maculopathy

Purpose To describe the efficacy and safety outcomes of NPB ® macular buckle (MB) in myopic traction maculopathy (MTM). Methods A monocentric, prospective cohort study of the naïve eyes who underwent MB surgery, alone or combined with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for MTM, using the new NPB ® buckle, between December 2022 and June 2024. The anatomical results, postoperative complications, and MB ease of use were analyzed as the main outcomes. Secondary outcomes included changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), axial length (AL), and intraocular pressure (IOP). Results Forty eyes of 39 patients were included, 34 (85%) were female. MB implantation alone was performed in 32 eyes (80%) and combined surgery in 8 (20%). At the final visit, 22 eyes (56,4%) “resolved” and 17 (43,6%) “improved” their retinal status, and 26 eyes (66,7%) “resolved”, 8 (20,5%) “improved” and 5 (12,8%) “unchanged” their foveal status. Thirteen (32,5%) had repositioning surgery mainly due to MB decentration. Early complications (month 1) included diplopia in 3 eyes (7,5%) and elevation deficit without diplopia in 2 (5,0%). Late complications (month 6) involved mild buckle exposure in 3 cases (7,5%). No cases required MB removal or additional PPV. BCVA improved from 0,61 ± 0,35 to 0,49 ± 0,38 logMAR ( p = 0,013), AL changed from 31,5 ± 2,2 to 30,0 ± 2,2 mm ( p < 0,001), and IOP changed from 16,0 ± 2,7 to 14,5 ± 3,3 mmHg ( p = 0,013), between the baseline and the final visit. Conclusions The new MB model is an effective and safe technique for MTM treatment as a first-line strategy, alone or in combination with PPV.