Abstract
Purpose :
To assess the topographic distribution of intraretinal cystic lesion (IRC) and its prognostic value in idiopathic epiretinal membrane (iERM).
Methods :
One hundred and twenty-two iERM eyes that were followed up at least 6 months after surgery were retrospectively reviewed. All eyes were imaged by a swept-source optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fluorescein angiography. IRC was defined as a hypo-reflective space of 32 μm diameter or greater in the cross-sectional OCT images. Based on the IRC distribution, eyes were divided into groups A, B, and C (absence, existence of IRC within 3 mm, and 6 mm from the fovea, respectively). The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central subfield macular thickness (CSMT), ectopic inner foveal layer (EIFL), and microvascular leakage (ML) were assessed.
Results :
Of total, 56 (45.9%) eyes showed IRC. Thirty-five eyes (28.7%) were in group B and 21 (17.2%) in group C at baseline. Compared to group B, group C showed worse BCVA, thicker CSMT, and greater association with ML (OR = 5.415; p = 0.005) at baseline, and also presented worse BCVA, thicker CSMT, wider distribution of IRC, postoperatively. Sixty-one eyes (50.0%) reached good visual acuity (20/25 or better) after surgery. Among baseline factors, that older age (OR = 1.085, CI = 1.016-1.160, p = 0.015), worse BCVA (OR = 58.74, CI = 5.840-590.9, p = 0.001), and the presence of ML (OR = 3.750, CI = 1.539-9.137, p = 0.004) were unfavorable baseline factors for good visual outcome.
Conclusions :
Wide distribution of IRCs was associated with more advanced disease phenotype as poor BCVA, thick macula, and existence of ML in iERM. Eyes with this featured also showed a poor visual outcome after ERM removal.
This abstract was presented at the 2023 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in New Orleans, LA, April 23-27, 2023.