Descemet membrane epiretinal grafting
Dr Andrew McAllister is the first surgeon in Toowoomba to perform Descemet Membrane Epiretinal Grafting, a new and innovative eye surgery technique.
Macular holes
A macular hole is a defect in the centre of the retina. It can affect your ability to see fine details clearly. Most can be treated with traditional treatments however, not all holes successfully close. These are known as refractory macular holes.
How does Descemet Membrane Epiretinal Grafting help?
This procedure helps the hole close by using donor tissue as a very thin patch, supporting the eye’s natural healing. It is particularly useful in cases where the macular hole is quite large or where previous treatments have not worked.
How does the new procedure work?
1. The graft
The tissue used comes from the innermost layer of the cornea, called the Descemet membrane. Sometimes, donor tissue that cannot be used for other types of corneal transplant surgery can still be safely used here as a very thin patch for the retina.
2. Placement
During a standard eye operation called a vitrectomy, the surgeon carefully places a very small piece of this tissue (about 1-2 mm) over the macular hole.
3. Fixation
The tissue naturally curls slightly, then settles into place as a smooth layer over the hole. It is held in position using a small air or gas bubble inside the eye, so stitches are not needed.
Why are we excited about it?
This technique provides a strong, stable scaffold that supports healing, helping even difficult macular holes close more effectively. It offers exciting new potential to improve vision, especially when other treatments haven’t worked.
Who is Dr McAllister?
Born in Toowoomba, Dr McAllister’s unique training makes him the only locally-based ophthalmologist that can treat retinal detachments, macular holes and epiretinal membranes urgently.