[Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) minimal: same, same but different. Characteristics and surgical treatment of...

Epiretinal membrane formation resulting in a macular pucker is among the typical complications associated with proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) in retinal detachment and has a major impact on the functional outcome after surgical treatment.

A literature search was carried out in PubMed.

Approaches to the surgical treatment of PVR-associated macular pucker include complete membrane removal within the vascular arcades aimed at relieving retinal traction at the posterior pole and peeling of the internal limiting membrane (ILM). As a further option it has been suggested that primary ILM peeling in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repair may reduce or even prevent postoperative epiretinal membrane formation. In addition, correct timing of surgery is a factor that may contribute to successful treatment.

Due to the particularly strong adhesion and the frequent occurrence of concurrent retinal detachment, the surgical approach to PVR-associated macular pucker is particularly challenging. As with idiopathic epiretinal membranes, surgical removal has the potential to improve functional outcomes; however, visual improvement depends largely on whether the macula was involved in the original retinal detachment.