Abstract
Purpose:
To evaluate the prevalence of epiretinal membranes (ERM) imaged by OCT in eyes that underwent pars plana vitectomy (PPV) with or without scleral buckle (SB) placement for repair of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RD).
Methods:
Thirty-four consecutive, phakic, non-diabetic patients with rhegmatogenous RD who underwent complete successful PPV surgery with or without (SB) placement at least 1 month prior to enrollment, where included in the study. Laser photocoagulation was applied to the retinal break and either SF6 or C3F8 was used as temporary endotamponade. Patients underwent complete clinical evaluation. SD-OCT macular scans were obtained using Spectralis® SD-OCT. Two scans were acquired; fast mode volume scan, with 20° OCT scan width x 20° of height, and a section scan at the level of the umbus for both eyes. Contralateral eye (if no surgery had been performed) was used as the control eye. Two independent observers graded the scans for presence or absence of ERM. ERM was determined to be present when a hype reflective layer was noticed on the surface of the retina in any of the scans reviewed. Age and timing of the OCT after surgery was recorded.
Results:
Thirty four eyes were in the study, with a mean age of 48.2 +14 years. Clinical examination and OCT was performed at an average of 28.5 months (1 month to 10 years) after surgery. Total retinal reattachment was acomplished in all eyes with just one surgery. PPV was performed in all eyes. Combined PPV and SB placement was performed in 27 eyes (80%). Temporary endotamponade with SF6 was used in 25 eyes (73.5%) and C3F8 in 9 eyes (26.5%). Epiretinal membranes (ERM) were observed in 22 of 34 participants (65%). ERM were present in both eyes in 8.8%. Prevalence increased significantly by age group: 38% for 20-40 years, 73% for 41-60 years, 83% for 61 years and older. Prevalence was similar in males and females after adjusting for age. A decrease in visual acuity was associated with ERM after surgery.
Conclusions:
ERM formation appears to be a frequent finding in patients who underwent PPV with or without SB placement for treatment of rhegmatogenous RD. Compared to control eyes, ERM are significantly more frequent in the PPV group. ERM development appears to be age dependent.
Keywords: 697 retinal detachment •
550 imaging/image analysis: clinical •
762 vitreoretinal surgery