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Macular epiretinal membrane peeling treatment outcomes in young children
Philip J Ferrone1, Khurram M Chaudhary
1Long Island Vitreoretinal Consultants, Great Neck, New York 11021, USA. p_ferrone@hotmail.com
Insights
Macular epiretinal membrane (ERM) peeling in children shows good visual outcomes. Vitrectomy with membrane peeling is effective for pediatric ERMs, with a low recurrence rate.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Retina
Background:
- Epiretinal membranes (ERMs) can affect vision, particularly in pediatric patients.
- Surgical intervention for pediatric ERMs is less commonly studied than in adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the outcomes of macular epiretinal membrane (ERM) peeling surgery in young children.
- To assess the visual acuity changes following ERM peeling in pediatric patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of vitrectomy cases from 1998-2010.
- Inclusion criteria: patients aged 16 years or younger with macular or posterior pole disease secondary to ERM.
- Exclusion criteria: retinopathy of prematurity, Coats disease, Norrie disease, incontinentia pigmenti. Comparison of pre- and postoperative visual acuity in 14 patients.
Main Results:
- The average age of surgical patients was 8 years, with a mean follow-up of 4.2 years.
- Presenting visual acuity averaged 20/258, improving to 20/100 postoperatively.
- Visual acuity improved in 86% of patients; 14% showed no change.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric epiretinal membranes (ERMs) demonstrate a favorable response to vitrectomy and membrane peeling.
- Recurrence of ERMs is uncommon, but associated pathologies can lead to complications like retinal detachment.
- Surgical outcomes for pediatric ERM peeling are generally positive, with a low risk of recurrence.
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to describe macular epiretinal membrane (ERM) peeling treatment outcomes in young children.
Methods:
The medical records of all vitrectomies from 1998 through 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who were selected were 16 years or younger and had primarily macular or posterior pole disease secondary to an ERM. Patients with retinopathy of prematurity, Coats disease, Norrie disease, and incontinentia pigmenti were excluded. Fourteen patients underwent vitrectomy with ERM peeling, and their preoperative and postoperative visual acuities were compared.
Results:
The mean age at surgery was 8 years, with an average follow-up of 4.2 years (range, 6 months to 11 years). The average presenting visual acuity was 20/258. Average postoperative visual acuity was 20/100, with improvement in 12 patients (86%) and no change of visual acuity in 2 patients (14%).
Conclusion:
Pediatric ERMs respond well to vitrectomy and membrane peel with a low likelihood of recurrence. Other associated pathology, such as familial exudative retinopathy and combined hamartomas of the retina and retinal pigment epithelium, was associated with complications, such as delayed-onset rhegmatogenous retinal detachment from peripheral traction and recurrence of ERM in 7% of patients.
