Spontaneous peeling of idiopathic epiretinal membranes: a case series

Abstract

Abstract Purpose To report clinical presentations and optical coherence tomographic features of spontaneous peeling of idiopathic epiretinal membranes in two young myopic females Methods Retrospective review of cases including clinical presentations and optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans Results Spontaneous peeling of idiopathic epiretinal membranes occurred in two young myopic females. The peeling occurred with posterior vitreous detachments which were documented sequentially with OCT over a 3 to 6 months duration. Case 1, a 31‐year‐old lady, with myopia of ‐6.0 dioptres spherical equivalent(SE), presented with decreased left visual acuity for one week. Left best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 6/12. Fundus examination revealed ERM confirmed by OCT. One month later BCVA improved to 6/9 as the ERM spontaneously peeled off partially with presence of PVD. However OCT still demonstrated vitreofoveal traction. BCVA normalized to 6/6 with complete peeling of ERM, resolution of vitreofoveal traction at both months 2 and 6. Case 2, a 35‐year‐old lady, with myopia of ‐2.0 dioptres SE, experienced 2 week history of decreased left visual acuity to BCVA 6/9 from ERM. 3 months later, spontaneous peeling of ERM occurred simultaneously with PVD. BCVA improved to 6/6 which remained stable one year later. Conclusion Spontaneous peeling of idiopathic ERM can occur in young female myopes. Two cases developed early PVD with spontaneous ERM peeling. OCT confirms the simultaneous occurrence of PVD with peeling of membranes which has not been demonstrated before. Idiopathic ERM should be monitored closely in myopic eyes of young females as they may undergo spontaneous peeling with normalisation of visual acuity.