Retinal nerve fiber layer configuration in eyes with epiretinal membrane

To characterize configurations of the optic nerve head (ONH) and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) eyes with epiretinal membrane (ERM).

We reviewed medical records of consecutive patients with ERM who were examined between September 2012 and August 2013. Patients were categorized based on the severity of ERM on fundus imaging; patients with ERM but without retinal distortion were in group 1, and patients with ERM and retinal distortion were in group 2. Optic nerve head and RNFL parameters measured by spectral domain optical coherence tomography were assessed and compared between eyes with ERM and normal fellow eyes.

There were no significant differences in ONH and RNFL parameters between ERM eyes and normal fellow eyes in group 1 (n = 12). In group 2 (n = 33), cup volume was smaller (p = 0.020), temporal quadrant RNFL thickness was greater by 18.8 ± 16.6 μm (p < 0.001), and RNFL peak angle was smaller by 18.7 ± 25.3 degrees in ERM eyes compared with fellow eyes (p = 0.001). In the 15 patients in group 2 who underwent ERM removal, temporal quadrant RNFL thickness decreased and the RNFL peak angle increased after the surgery (p = 0.008 and p = 0.001, respectively).

The configurations of the ONH and peripapillary RNFL in eyes with ERM were different from those in fellow eyes. The characteristic configurations of RNFL such as small peak angle and temporal quadrant thickening may be considered when evaluating parameters as measured by spectral domain optical coherence tomography.