FIVE-YEAR FOLLOW-UP AFTER EPIRETINAL MEMBRANE SURGERY: A Single-Center Experience

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Retinal Surgery

Background:

• Epiretinal membrane (ERM) is a common condition affecting the macula.
• ERM peeling surgery aims to restore visual function.
• Long-term recurrence rates after ERM surgery require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the rate of epiretinal membrane recurrence in eyes that underwent ERM peeling surgery at least 5 years prior.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective case series of 37 patients with a minimum 5-year follow-up.
• Evaluated visual acuity, ophthalmic examination, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) preoperatively, postoperatively, and at 5 years.

Main Results:

• Visual acuity improved significantly at 1 year and was maintained at 5 years.
• Central macular thickness decreased significantly by year 5.
• The 5-year ERM recurrence rate was 58%, with 28% being extrafoveal.

Conclusions:

• The observed ERM recurrence rate of 58% is substantially higher than previously reported (5-12%).
• Despite high recurrence, visual acuity was generally unaffected, suggesting mild nature of recurrent ERMs.