Abstract
Purpose :
To assess the change in microvascular leakage (ML) and its association with clinical features in idiopathic epiretinal membrane (iERM).
Methods :
iERM eyes with at least 6 months follow-up after vitrectomy and membrane removal were retrospectively reviewed. Swept source optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fluorescein angiography (FA) were conducted at baseline and 6 months. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), structural changes on OCT including central subfield macular thickness (CSMT), ectopic inner foveal layer (EIFL) and intraretinal cystic lesions (IRC), and ML on FA were assessed. Main outcome measures were the change in ML and its association with the clinical features in iERM.
Results :
Thirty-eight eyes of 38 patient (66.6 ± 6.53 years) were included in this study. The mean BCVA (logMAR) was 0.35 ± 0.15 and CSMT was 418.7 ± 65.1μm. The IRC and EIFL existed in 25 eyes (65.8%) and 17 eyes (44.7%), respectively.
In 22 eyes (57.9%) with the baseline ML, BCVA (0.39 ± 0.16 to 0.23 ± 0.16, P=0.001) and CSMT (440.0 ± 59.2μm to 381.4 ± 57.6μm, P<0.001) improved at 6 months. Of those with the ML, 2 eyes (9.1%) showed the disappearance of ML. IRC existed in 15 eyes (68.2%). Five eyes (33.3%) presented complete resolution.
In 16 eyes without the ML, BCVA (0.29 ± 0.09 to 0.07 ± 0.09, P=0.001) and CSMT (389.3 ± 62.63 μm to 326.2 ± 42.87μm, P=0.003) also improved at 6 months. Of them, 4 eyes (25.0%) newly developed the ML, and showed no difference in BCVA and CSMT than others. IRC existed in 10 eyes (62.5%). Two eyes (10%) showed complete resolution. Through the follow-up period, eyes with the ML showed worse BCVA and thicker CSMT (p < 0.05 in all), compared to those without it. There was no difference in IRC and EIFL regarding the ML.
Conclusions :
Most eyes did not change in the ML on FA. Eyes with the ML presented more advanced macular deformity and poorer visual outcome, compared to those without it, although BCVA and structural features in OCT improved.
This abstract was presented at the 2023 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in New Orleans, LA, April 23-27, 2023.