Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To compare a recurrence rate of epiretinal membrane and postoperative visual function after vitrectomy for idiopathic epiretinal membrane(ERM) with or without peeling of internal limiting membrane(ILM). Methods:We reviewed 48 eyes of 48 patients with ERM which underwent vitrectomy at Gunma University Hospital from 1997 to 2002. Within the 48 eyes, ICG assisted ILM peeling was performed in 17 eyes (group 1) in addition to ERM removal. Only ERM removal without ILM peeling was performed in 31 eyes (group 2). We compared the incidence of recurrent epiretinal membrane at 12 months after surgery. Results: Epiretinal membrane recurred in one eye (6%) in group 1 and 13 eyes (42%) in group 2 at 12 months after surgery. Best–corrected postoperative visual acuity was improved in two lines or more in 15 eyes (88%) in group 1 and 27 eyes (87%) in group 2. Metamorphopsia persisted after surgery in 2 eyes(12%) in group 1 and 12 eyes(39%) in group 2. Conclusions: A recurrence rate of ERM was much lower in eyes with ILM removal (group 1). Metamorphopsia was more improved in group 1. ICG assisted ILM peeling has a great advantage to prevent recurrence of epiretinal membrane in vitrectomy for ERM.
Keywords: vitreoretinal surgery • imaging methods (CT, FA, ICG, MRI, OCT, RTA, SLO, ultrasound) • retinal glia