[Effect of internal limiting membrane peeling on morpho-functional state of the retina in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (preliminary report)].

PURPOSE

To compare morpho-functional parameters of retina during vitrectomy with and without internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included 55 patients (55 eyes) that had underwent vitreoretinal surgery in the setting of antivasoproliferative therapy for proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Patients of the 1 group (n=27) underwent vitrectomy with silicone tamponade, 2 group (n=28) received similar treatment with the addition of ILM peeling. Three months after the treatment, all patients had silicone oil removed.

RESULTS

Best Corrected Visual Acuity before treatment was 0.06±0.02 in both groups; after the treatment it improved to 0.1±0.05 (p<0.05) in the 1 group and to 0.25±0.05 (p<0.05) in the 2 group. Thickness of the 'nerve fiber layer - internal limiting membrane' in the macular area was 28.67±2.21 µm in both groups before the treatment. By 3-month follow-up its thickness increased to 46.44±2.56 µm (p<0.05) in the 1 group due to the formation of epiretinal membrane (ERM). In patients of the 2 group 'nerve fiber layer' area thickness amounted to 28.41±1.88 µm (p<0.05) and ERM could not be identified in any of them.

CONCLUSION

ILM peeling during vitrectomy with following silicone oil tamponade eliminates the risk of ERM formation in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy in the follow-up period of up to 6-month and results in better morpho-functional parameters in comparison with patients who received similar treatment but without peeling.