Philippines Successfully Performs Ultra-Minimally Invasive FCVB Surgery for Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment, Becoming the Third Country Globally to Master the Technology
Release time: Dec 05,2025
Foreword
On November 28, 2025, East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC) in the Philippines announced momentous medical news—the hospital successfully completed the country’s first two cases of ultra-minimally invasive external foldable capsular vitreous body (FCVB) implantation for the treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. FCVB can not only treat retinal detachment via the internal approach to preserve the eyeballs of patients with severe ocular trauma and silicone oil-dependent eyes; one of its models, thefoldable capsular buckle (FCB), can also achieve ultra-minimally invasive and rapid treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment through the external approach.
It was the FCB ultra-minimally invasive external approach that was adopted in the treatment of the two rhegmatogenous retinal detachment patients in the Philippines this time. This groundbreaking achievement marks the Philippines as the third country in the world, following China and Laos, to successfully perform FCB surgery, and also brings a brand-new treatment option for patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in Southeast Asia.
Patient Condition Overview
It is reported that these two highly complex surgeries were performed by EAMC ophthalmologists Dr. Jason So and Dr. Roch Pilones respectively, on patients both diagnosed with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. With the close coordination of the two expert teams, both surgeries were completed smoothly, and laser photocoagulation was performed on the patients after the operation. Re-examination results showed that the retinal reattachment effect of the two patients was excellent, and their ocular reactions were stable, laying a solid foundation for subsequent visual recovery.
Case 1
The patient was a 24-year-old male. After detailed preoperative ocular examinations including fundoscopy and optical coherence tomography (OCT), he was finally diagnosed with left-eye rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.
Conventional surgical options for this condition mainly include scleral buckling and pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). However, the former is highly invasive, while the latter involves a long recovery period, both with certain limitations. Considering the patient’s young age, fresh retinal break, short duration of onset, and strong demand for minimal surgical trauma and a quick return to normal life, Dr. Jason So’s team, after full communication, decided to adopt the innovative Chinese technology—thefoldable capsular buckle (FCB) ultra-minimally invasive retinal reattachment surgery.
The surgery was performed by Dr. Jason So, who implanted the FCB in the patient’s left eye. The entire procedure went very smoothly: the balloon was accurately positioned at the retinal break and perfectly tamponaded the break after inflation. On the second day after the operation, the retinal break was successfully sealed with laser photocoagulation. Postoperative examination showed that the break was well-apposed to the tamponade ridge, the retinal reattachment was stable, the patient felt subjectively comfortable, and was highly satisfied with the surgical outcome.
Case 2
The second patient was diagnosed with left-eye rhegmatogenous retinal detachment upon admission, with a single retinal break visible at the 1 o’clock position.
Based on a comprehensive assessment of the patient’s condition, Dr. Roch Pilones proposed to perform the latest ultra-minimally invasive retinal reattachment surgery—FCB implantation—on him.
By implanting the folded FCB outside the sclera and injecting normal saline to inflate the balloon, the detached retina was "pushed back" into place like a jack. Dr. Roch Pilones successfully completed the FCB implantation using thefive "no"ssurgical technique—no retrobulbar anesthesia, no muscle traction, no intraoperative localization, no scleral fluid drainage, and no retinal break cryopexy. The patient reported no obvious discomfort during the operation, which proceeded smoothly. Retinal laser photocoagulation was performed on the same day after the surgery.
Postoperative fundus examination results indicated that the balloon tamponade position was optimal, the retinal break closure and reattachment were stable, and the surgical outcome was excellent, which could be further verified through follow-up.
Technical Advantages: The Ultra-Minimally Invasive Nature of FCB Revolutionizes Treatment Experience
As an innovative benchmark in the global field of fundus disease treatment, the outstanding advantages of FCB technology were fully demonstrated in these two surgeries. Dr. Jason So and Dr. Roch Pilones implanted the folded FCB outside the sclera and inflated it with normal saline to "push" the detached retina back into position like a jack. They successfully completed the FCB implantation by adopting the five "no"s technique—no retrobulbar anesthesia, no muscle traction, no intraoperative localization, no scleral fluid drainage, and no retinal break cryopexy. The folded tamponade balloon was implanted through a tiny conjunctival incision and inflated with fluid to achieve precise tamponade of the retinal break. Compared with traditional surgeries, FCB not only significantly reduces trauma and complication rates, but also breaks the restrictions on postoperative body positions, completely improving the patient’s treatment experience. What is more noteworthy is that the learning curve of FCB technology is significantly shorter than that of traditional external approach surgery and pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), creating favorable conditions for the rapid promotion of the technology.
Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment is a blinding ophthalmic emergency; delayed treatment can easily lead to permanent vision loss. Prior to this, clinical treatment in the Philippines mainly relied on traditional external approach surgery or internal approach pars plana vitrectomy—the former is highly invasive with a long recovery period, while the latter may disrupt the intraocular environment. The success of these surgeries not only fills the gap in the application of FCB technology in the Philippines, but also further optimizes the surgical process through innovative techniques such as the five "no"s, directly elevating the country’s level of retinal detachment treatment to the international advanced ranks.
Cornerstone of Success: China-Philippines Collaboration Builds a Bridge for Technology Implementation
The successful implementation of the technology was inseparable from adequate preoperative preparations. Before the surgeries, the academic team of Guangzhou Weishibo Biotechnology Co., Ltd. provided systematic training to the ophthalmologists of EAMC, covering core aspects such as indication screening, surgical procedure standardization, hands-on product folding practice, key step drills, postoperative management, and complication prediction. It was this standardized training system that ensured the two doctors could independently and standardly complete the surgeries, providing a solid guarantee for the localized implementation of the technology in the Philippines.
It is worth mentioning that China, as the original country of FCB technology, has accumulated mature clinical experience. Earlier, Professor Du Hongjun from the 13th Chinese People’s Liberation Army Medical Team to Laos successfully performed the country’s first FCB surgery at the 103 Hospital in Vientiane, the capital of Laos, in October 2025. The success of the surgeries in the Philippines once again confirms the international adaptability and promotion value of this technology.
Conclusion
The successful performance of the first FCB implantation surgeries in the Philippines not only brings safer and more efficient treatment options to local retinal detachment patients, but also sets a milestone for the global promotion of FCB minimally invasive technology. The smooth completion of these surgeries is the result of joint efforts by the hospital, the medical team, and the enterprise, opening a new window for international ophthalmic technology exchange and cooperation.
The success of these surgeries is a fruitful achievement of in-depth cooperation between the hospital, the medical team, and the Chinese enterprise. This cooperation model not only provides replicable and scalable valuable experience for the popularization of FCB technology in Southeast Asia, but also opens a new window for international ophthalmic technology exchange and cooperation. In the future, with the further global promotion of FCB technology, this innovative medical technology originating from China will benefit patients in more countries and regions, injecting new vitality into the global cause of fundus disease treatment.
Hospital Introduction
East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC) – The National Eye Center of the Philippines
East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC) is a national public hospital in the Philippines, managed by the Department of Health, and serves as an important specialized ophthalmology center in the region.
Highlights of EAMC’s Ophthalmology Department:
Founded in 1986, it has comprehensive basic and specialized ophthalmic diagnosis and treatment capabilities, housing a 1,496-square-meter DOH Eye Center.
The medical team consists of specialized physicians, visiting experts, residents, and nursing staff.
In 2021, the ophthalmology department was accredited as the National Specialty Center for Eye Care.
Established: Ocular Trauma Center and clinical pathways; Cornea and Ocular Surface Specialty Program; Ophthalmic Nursing Training System; Diabetic Retinopathy and Glaucoma Screening Systems.
As an important ophthalmic referral center in the Philippines, EAMC’s professional strength provided a solid foundation for the smooth implementation of FCB technology.
During the postoperative review, Xiao Z’s left-eye retinal break was completely closed, the symptoms of photopsia and floaters disappeared, and his corrected visual acuity improved. "We didn't expect such a quick recovery. The child only missed a few classes and returned to campus soon. We are truly grateful to the medical team!" the parents said, expressing their deep thanks to the president and Professor Zhou.
Postoperative examinations showed that the retinal break of the right eye was well-apposed on the scleral ridge, with other examination results remaining basically unchanged. The patient and her family expressed great satisfaction with the surgical outcome and extended their gratitude to the medical team.
