The efficacy of vitrectomy combined with membrane peeling for the treatment of idiopathic epiretinal membrane

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of 25-gauge vitrectomy combined with membrane peeling for the treatment of idiopathic macular epiretinal membrane. Methods The clinical data of 23 eyes of 23 patients with idiopathic macular epiretinal membrane were analyzed retrospectively. Results The visual acuity after surgery was improved in 19 eyes, and unchanged in 4 eyes. Before surgery the metamorphopsia was in 11 eyes, among them the metamorphopsia relieved, but did not completely disappeared in 9 eyes. According to the different forms of idiopathic epiretinal membrane, these patients were divided into 4 groups: the group of epiretinal membrane associated with macular edema, 14 eyes, underwent vitrectomy combined with membrane peeling, there were 7 eyes with retinal internal limiting membrane peeling during surgery; after surgery, the visual acuity improved in 12 eyes, and remained unchanged in 2 eyes. The group of proliferative epiretinal membrane, 6 eyes, among them 1 eye treated with epiretinal membrane peeling only.The other 5 eyes received vitrectomy combined with membrane peeling, during surgery 2 eyes combined with ILM peeling, the visual acuity improved in 4 eyes and unchanged in 2 eyes after operation. The group of macular pseudohole induced by macular epiretinal membrane, 2 eyes, underwent vitrectomy combined with membrane peeling, the vision acuity improved in all cases after surgery. The group of lamellar macular hole leaded by epiretinal membrane, 1 eye, underwent comined surgery with ILM peeling, the postoperative visual acuity improved. Conclusion Vitrectomy combined membrane peeling can effectively treat for idiopathic macular membrane. Key words: Epiretinal membrane, macular, idiopathic; Vitrectomy, combined membrane peeling