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[Secondary complications in surgery of epiretinal membranes]
G Donati1, A D Kapetanios, C J Pournaras
1Département des Neurosciences Cliniques, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève.
Material And Methods:
Preoperative findings, intraoperative and postoperative complications as final results of 70 consecutive cases of idiopathic or secondary ERM operated by the same retina surgeon were analyzed.
Results:
In all cases the ERMs were successfully removed from the fovea. The mean v.a. increased from 0.34 +/- 0.2. to 0.54 +/- 0.31, (p < 0.05) postoperatively. Idiopathic and secondary ERMs both showed significant improvement after surgery. Complications included intraoperative hemorrhage and retinal tears. Postoperative progressive nuclear sclerosis, retinal tears causing detachments, macular edema and retinal pigmentary epitheliopathy.
Conclusions:
Performing surgery for ERMs is worthwhile on eyes with major decreased v.a. and on eyes with metamorphopsia but only moderately reduced vision. Postoperative complications are frequent but can usually be managed successfully. Of them only retinal detachment is of some worse prognosis on the final functional outcome.
Insights
Surgery for epiretinal membranes (ERMs) significantly improves vision and is worthwhile for patients with decreased visual acuity or metamorphopsia. While complications can occur, they are usually manageable, with retinal detachment being the main concern.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Retinal Surgery
Context:
- Epiretinal membranes (ERMs) can impair visual function.
- Surgical intervention is a common treatment for ERMs.
Purpose:
- To analyze the outcomes and complications of ERM surgery.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of ERM removal in idiopathic and secondary cases.
Summary:
- Seventy consecutive ERM cases were analyzed for preoperative findings, intraoperative, and postoperative complications.
- Successful foveal ERM removal led to a significant improvement in mean visual acuity (p < 0.05).
- Both idiopathic and secondary ERMs demonstrated significant visual improvement post-surgery.
Impact:
- ERM surgery is beneficial for eyes with significantly decreased visual acuity or metamorphopsia.
- Postoperative complications are frequent but generally manageable, with retinal detachment posing the most significant risk to visual outcome.