Prospective Retinal and Optic Nerve Vitrectomy Evaluation (PROVE) study: findings at 3 months

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Retinal Surgery
• Glaucoma Research

Background:

• The Prospective Retinal and Optic Nerve Vitrectomy Evaluation (PROVE) study aimed to assess outcomes following vitrectomy.
• Vitrectomy is a surgical procedure involving the removal of the vitreous humor from the eye.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the 3-month findings of the PROVE study.
• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of vitrectomy concerning intraocular pressure and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness.

Main Methods:

• Eighty eyes of 40 participants undergoing vitrectomy were assessed.
• Evaluations included intraocular pressure, corneal thickness, gonioscopy, cup-to-disc ratio, fundus photography, perimetry, and OCT.
• Measurements were taken at baseline and 3 months post-surgery.

Main Results:

• No significant changes in intraocular pressure or cup-to-disc ratio were observed at 3 months.
• Vision improved in vitrectomized eyes, but remained worse than fellow eyes.
• Increased retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in eyes with epiretinal membrane correlated with visual improvement post-surgery.

Conclusions:

• Vitrectomy at 3 months did not elevate open-angle glaucoma risk.
• A significant percentage of eyes may be at risk for angle closure glaucoma.
• Epiretinal membrane resolution post-vitrectomy correlated with visual recovery.