Abstract
Purpose: :
To determine effectiveness of 25-gauge vitrectomy and membrane peel of idiopathic epiretinal membranes.
Methods: :
Optical coherence tomography and visual acuity scores were evaluated in a retrospective look at 21 patients who underwent a membrane peel and 25-gauge vitrectomy for epiretinal membranes. The preoperative data was compared to the postoperative data with a mean of 3.5 months follow up.
Results: :
Surgery resulted in a decrease in macular thickness in all patients. The preoperative mean for all patients decreased from 429 ± 71 microms to 317 ± 48 microms after surgery. Visual acuity increased from a mean of 20/70+1 (range: 20/30 to 20/150) to a mean of 20/50+2 (range: 20/15 to 20/150) postoperatively. Of the 21 patients, 15 (71.4%) had an increase in their visual acuity (average gain: 13 letters), while 3 (14.3%) had a decrease in visual acuity (average loss: 11 letters). Three patients (14.3%) had no change in visual acuity. Fourteen patients (67%) had a postoperative VA of ≥20/50.
Conclusions: :
25-Gauge vitrectomy and membrane peel are effective in reducing macular edema and increasing visual acuity. Further study with longer follow-up and comparison needs to be done to determine if 25-gauge vitrectomy is more effective than standard 20-gauge vitrectomy.
Keywords: vitreoretinal surgery • imaging methods (CT, FA, ICG, MRI, OCT, RTA, SLO, ultrasound) • macula/fovea