Clinical Outcomes of 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy for diabetic epiretinal membranes in diabetic patients

Abstract

Clinical Outcomes of 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy for diabetic epiretinal membranes in diabetic patients Objective: To report the clinical outcomes of 23-gauge (G) pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for epiretinal membranes (ERM) in diabetic patients. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 30 eyes of 29 diabetic patients who underwent 23-G PPV only or combined with phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation for ERM. All patients complained low visual acuity and/or metamorphopsia secondary to ERM with or without macular edema (ME). Phacoemulsification was performed for the lack of re-operation for cataract that will develop after vitrectomy. Preoperative and postoperative values of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), intraocular pressure (IOP) and complications of surgery were analyzed. Results: Mean age was 61.8±8.2 years old and follow up time was 13±7.9 months. Preoperative mean BCVA was 0.65±0.25 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) and postoperative mean BCVA was 0.54±0.29 logMAR (p=0.29). Preoperative mean CMT was 474±81 µm and postoperative mean CMT was 295±52 µm (p<0.001). Postoperatively, in 13 eyes (43.4%), BCVA was increased. In 10 eyes (33.3%), BCVA was not changed and in 7 eyes (23.3%), BCVA was decreased at the end of follow-up. Posterior capsul opacification was recorded in 7 eyes. Glaucoma in five, macular scar formation in two, lamellar macular hole formation in three, full-thickness macular hole formation in one, rubeosis iridis in one and optic atrophy in two eyes were recorded. Conclusions: BCVA was increased in 43.4% and not changed in 33.3% eyes after PPV for diabetic ERM. Mean CMT was significantly decreased after PPV. Postoperatively glaucoma, macular side events, and posterior capsular opacification were the most frequent complications.