Abstract
Purpose:
To investigate the vitreous condition in unilateral idiopathic epimacular membrane (IEM) using swept-source optical coherent tomography (SS-OCT)
Methods:
We prospectively examined the vitreous status of 12 consecutive cases of unilateral IEM using slit-lamp biomicroscopy and SS-OCT (Topcon, Japan). Best-corrected visual acuity of 12 IEM eyes were 1.2 in 4 eyes, 0.4 was in 5 eyes, and 0.5, 0.6, 0.8 in one eye, respectively, and 1.2 in all normal fellow eyes. The mean refractive was -4 diopter in IEM eyes and -3.5 in the fellow eyes. OCT images were obtained with a horizontal and a vertical 12 mm scan through the fovea in both eyes. We compared the prevalence of PVD between affected and normal fellow eyes.
Results:
All 12 IEM eyes had complete PVD with Weiss ring on slit-lamp biomicroscopy. SS-OCT confirmed no vitreous structure and epiretinal membrane on the macula. Complete PVD was not observed in 12 fellow eyes. SS-OCT revealed the “posterior precortical vitreous pocket” on the macular area in all 12 normal fellow eyes. Because of the pocket, premacular vitreous cortex was present as a membrane separated from the gel. Premacular vitreous cortex was slightly detached in the perifoveal area in 10 eyes but attached at the disc.
Conclusions:
SS-OCT enabled to depict the specific vitreous characteristics on the macula. The posterior wall of the “posterior precortical vitreous pocket” seems to serve a basic structure of IEM.