Surgical results of idiopathic and secondary epiretinal membrane
Kyung Tae Kang1, Kwang Soo Kim, Yu Cheol Kim
1Dongsan Medical Center, Keimyung University School of Medicine, Daegu, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
The aim of the study is to compare the surgical results of patients with an idiopathic and secondary epiretinal membrane (ERM) after pars plana vitrectomy and membranectomy. The medical records of 51 consecutive patients with ERM who underwent pars plana vitrectomy and membranectomy with a follow-up >1 year were reviewed retrospectively. Age, sex, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA, logMAR), lens status, presence of additional removal of internal limiting membrane (ILM), and recurrence rate within 1 year after the operation were compared in the idiopathic and secondary ERM groups. Forty-one eyes had idiopathic ERM and 10 eyes had secondary ERM. Preoperative average BCVA values in the two groups were 0.47 and 0.70, respectively, and the postoperative average BCVA values were 0.28 and 0.18, respectively, with significant improvement postoperatively in both groups (p < 0.01, p < 0.01). The recurrence rate within 1 year after surgery in the idiopathic group was 4.88 % and that in the secondary group was 20 % (p = 0.03). The recurrence rate was 4.3 % in the idiopathic group with ILM removal and it was 5.9 % without ILM removal (p = 0.03). No case recurred within 1 year in the secondary group with ILM removal but the recurrence rate was 33.3 % in the group without ILM removal (p = 0.01). Although patients with secondary ERM gained better visual acuity improvement postoperatively, the recurrence rate was higher within 1 year than that of patients with idiopathic ERM. Removal of the ILM may lower recurrence rates.
Insights
This study compared surgical outcomes for idiopathic and secondary epiretinal membrane (ERM) after vitrectomy. Secondary ERM patients achieved better visual acuity, but had higher recurrence rates, suggesting internal limiting membrane removal may reduce recurrence.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Retinal Surgery
Background:
- Epiretinal membrane (ERM) affects vision.
- ERMs can be idiopathic or secondary to other conditions.
- Pars plana vitrectomy with membranectomy is a common surgical treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare surgical results between idiopathic and secondary ERM patients.
- To evaluate the impact of internal limiting membrane (ILM) removal on recurrence rates.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 51 patients undergoing pars plana vitrectomy and membranectomy for ERM.
- Comparison of visual acuity, lens status, ILM removal, and recurrence rates.
- Analysis stratified by idiopathic versus secondary ERM etiology.
Main Results:
- Both idiopathic and secondary ERM groups showed significant postoperative visual acuity improvement.
- Secondary ERM group had a higher recurrence rate (20%) compared to idiopathic ERM (4.88%).
- Internal limiting membrane (ILM) removal was associated with lower recurrence rates in both groups, particularly in secondary ERM.
Conclusions:
- While secondary ERM patients may achieve better visual gains, they face a higher risk of recurrence.
- Internal limiting membrane (ILM) removal appears to be a protective factor against ERM recurrence post-surgery.
