The impact of macular surgery in different grades of epiretinal membrane.

AIM

To assess the impact of macular surgery on the functional and anatomic outcomes of the patients in different grades of epiretinal membrane (ERM).

METHODS

Seventy-one eyes of 71 patients who underwent 23-gauge transconjunctival sutureless pars plana vitrectomy for primary isolated ERM were evaluated in this study.

RESULTS

There were 38 females (53.5%) and 33 males (46.5%). The average age of the patients was 68.1y (range 42-89y). Mean follow up period was 14mo (range 6-26mo). The cases were divided into two subgroups of cellophane maculopathy (CM) and macular pucker (MP). An improvement was observed in the postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), as well as a decrement in central foveal thickness (CFT) in both groups (both of these being statistically significant; =0.001). In comparison between two groups, it was found that there was a significant improvement on BCVA and CFT in CM group than MP group (=0.01). Furthermore, the postoperative fundus findings regarding RPE alterations and macular edema were significantly higher in MP group when compared to the CM group (=0.01).

CONCLUSION

ERM and internal limiting membrane peeling surgery can lead to a significant reduction of CFT and visual improvements in idiopathic ERM. A long-term ERM persistence will cause unrecoverable retinal damage and visual loss.