Abstract
Purpose :
Epiretinal membranes (ERMs) are a common macular pathology leading to decreased visual acuity and metamorphopsia. Inner limiting membrane (ILM) removal at the time of ERM removal has gained popularity over the last decade. Some studies have reported improved outcomes with concurrent ILM removal while others have not. The purpose of this study was to evaluate outcomes from the two surgical techniques in a single-surgeon academic setting.
Methods :
Retrospective chart review of 32 patients that had ERM removal by a single surgeon at the University of Colorado Eye Institute from 2/2008 to 12/2014 was conducted. Patients were divided into two groups based on whether ILM was concurrently peeled or not. Primary outcome was ERM recurrence as seen on post-operative Ocular Coherence Tomography (OCT). Secondary outcome was the maintenance of foveal contour.
Results :
There was no difference in recurrence rate found between the ERM-only and ERM/ILM groups (15% vs. 21%, p=1), no difference in pre- or 6, 12 month post-op Best-Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) (p=0.734, 0.25, 0.98), and no difference in complication rate or post-operative OCT central macular thickness improvement (p=1, 0.42). The ERM-only group had a statistically significant higher percentage of maintenance or regaining of foveal contour vs. the MP/ILM peel group (61.5% vs. 21%, p=0.03).
Conclusions :
There was no difference between the two groups for recurrence rate, complications, final vision, or OCT central macular thickness improvement. The ERM-only group had an improved rate of maintenance or regaining of foveal contour.
This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2016 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, Wash., May 1-5, 2016.