Visual Outcomes and Complications of Epiretinal Membrane Removal Secondary to Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: To examine visual outcomes after surgery for removal of macular pucker following retinal detachment repair and to identify possible complications. Methods: Retrospective chart review of 77 patients who underwent surgery for removal of an epiretinal membrane following retinal detachment repair over a 10 year period. Follow up ranged from 6 to 124 months (mean = 49 months). Results: 36 of 77 eyes (46.8%) had a visual acuity at final follow–up of 20/40 or better. 52 patients (72.2%) had a visual acuity at final follow–up equal to or better than the best visual acuity after retinal detachment repair (p = 0.001). Of the 45 eyes that were phakic at the beginning of the study, 34 (75.6%) underwent cataract extraction prior to final follow–up. 6 eyes (7.8%) had a recurrent retinal detachment after membrane removal. 16 eyes (20.8%) developed a recurrent epiretinal membrane, 1 of which (1.3% of all eyes) was visually significant requiring repeat surgery. Conclusions: Epiretinal membrane development is a known complication of retinal detachment repair. Visual acuity can be improved in these patients by removal of the epiretinal membrane. Recurrent membrane formation is not visually significant. Carefull followup is needed to detect recurrent retinal detachment.

Keywords: retina • retinal detachment • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: outcomes/complications