Abstract
Purpose: :
To compare post-operative central macular thickness (CMT) measured on optical coherence tomography (OCT) and visual outcomes after idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM) extraction surgery combined with phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation, versus ERM extraction alone.
Methods: :
After ERM extraction combined with cataract surgery or ERM extraction alone, mean CMT on OCT significantly decreased in both groups (p<0.001), with a mean difference of -83.05 +/- 91.74mcm after combined surgery, and -134.13 +/- 123.30mcm after ERM extraction alone, with no statistical difference between the two groups (p=0.083). For the sample size and alpha of 0.05 (2-tail), the power is 56% for detecting a significant difference, with N=142 necessary to achieve 80% power. The mean logMAR visual acuity also improved significantly in both groups at 6 months (p<0.001) and at 1 year (p<0.001) after surgery, with no statistical difference between the two groups in visual acuity improvement at 6 months (p=0.12) or 1 year (p=0.29). Complications such as recurrent ERM, elevated IOP, and frequency of reoperation were similar in the two groups. No statistical difference in anatomical or visual outcomes was found between pseudophakic and phakic eyes in patients who underwent ERM extraction surgery alone.
Results: :
After ERM extraction combined with cataract surgery or ERM extraction alone, mean CMT on OCT significantly decreased in both groups (p<0.001), with a mean difference of -83.05 +/- 91.74mcm after combined surgery, and -134.13 +/- 123.30mcm after ERM extraction alone, with no statistical difference between the two groups (p=0.083). For the sample size and alpha of 0.05 (2-tail), the power is 56% for detecting a significant difference, with N=142 necessary to achieve 80% power. The mean logMAR visual acuity also improved significantly in both groups at 6 months (p<0.001) and at 1 year (p<0.001) after surgery, with no statistical difference between the two groups in visual acuity improvement at 6 months (p=0.12) or 1 year (p=0.29). Complications such as recurrent ERM, elevated IOP, and frequency of reoperation were similar in the two groups. No statistical difference in anatomical or visual outcomes was found between pseudophakic and phakic eyes in patients who underwent ERM extraction surgery alone.
Conclusions: :
The anatomical and functional outcomes of combined surgery for extraction of idiopathic epiretinal membranes and cataracts are similar to membrane peeling alone. The central macular thickness on OCT or visual outcomes between the two procedures are not statistically different.
Keywords: vitreoretinal surgery • macula/fovea • cataract