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The clinical course of the idiopathic epiretinal membrane after surgery
Soon Il Kwon1, Sung Ju Ko, In-Won Park
1Department of Ophthalmology, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, #896 Pyeongchon-dong, Dongan-gu, Anyang, Korea.
Purpose:
To evaluate the clinical course of visual acuity and foveal thickness in the idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM) after a vitrectomy with the use of triamcinolone.
Methods:
We retrospectively reviewed the records of 30 patients (30 eyes) with ERM that were treated by vitrectomy from 2004 to 2008. Visual acuity and foveal thickness from optical coherence tomography imaging was obtained preoperatively and at every postoperative follow-up visit.
Results:
Visual acuity improved by two or more lines of vision in 30%, 50%, 60%, and 70%, and stayed the same within +/-1 line in 47%, 50%, 40%, and 30% at one month, three months, five months, and seven months after surgery. Twenty-three percent of the subjects deteriorated by two or more lines of vision within one month after surgery. None of the subjects had reduced vision three months after surgery. Foveal thickness decreased significantly after surgery. The mean thickness was 409.7+/-107.9 microm before surgery and 288.6+/-66.1 microm seven months after surgery. Parameters which were significantly correlated with the final visual acuity included preoperative visual acuity (0.683), preoperative foveal thickness (0.544), and final foveal thickness (0.643) (p<0.005).
Conclusions:
Foveal thickness and visual acuity improved until seven months after the vitrectomy in patients with idiopathic ERM. Preoperative visual acuity, foveal thickness, and final foveal thickness had a significant correlation with the final visual acuity.
Insights
Vitrectomy with triamcinolone improved vision and reduced foveal thickness in idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM) patients. Preoperative and final foveal thickness, along with preoperative vision, predicted final visual acuity outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Retinal Surgery
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM) can impair visual function.
- Vitrectomy is a surgical approach to address ERM.
- The role of triamcinolone in ERM surgery requires clinical evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess visual acuity and foveal thickness changes after ERM vitrectomy with triamcinolone.
- To determine the clinical course of visual outcomes post-surgery.
- To identify factors influencing final visual acuity.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 30 patients undergoing ERM vitrectomy.
- Analysis of visual acuity and optical coherence tomography (OCT) foveal thickness.
- Preoperative and serial postoperative data collection up to seven months.
Main Results:
- Significant decrease in mean foveal thickness from 409.7 to 288.6 microm.
- Visual acuity improved by ≥2 lines in 70% of patients by seven months.
- Preoperative visual acuity, preoperative foveal thickness, and final foveal thickness correlated significantly with final visual acuity (p<0.005).
Conclusions:
- Vitrectomy with triamcinolone effectively improves visual acuity and reduces foveal thickness in idiopathic ERM.
- Surgical outcomes are influenced by baseline visual acuity and foveal morphology.
- Foveal thickness and visual acuity demonstrate sustained improvement up to seven months post-surgery.
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