CHANGES OF FIXATION STABILITY AND LOCATION AFTER EPIRETINAL MEMBRANE SURGERY
Xiaohan Yang1, Zengyi Wang1, Yanping Yu1
1Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; and.
Retina (Philadelphia, Pa.)
|December 26, 2021
Summary
Epiretinal membrane (ERM) surgery significantly improves fixation stability and visual function, even in cases with severe macular damage. Patients with preoperative unstable fixation and poor visual acuity benefit most from ERM surgery.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Retinal Surgery
- Visual Neuroscience
Background:
- Epiretinal membranes (ERMs) can cause visual distortion and reduced visual acuity.
- Understanding the impact of ERM surgery on visual function is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate changes in fixation stability and position following epiretinal membrane (ERM) surgery.
- To identify preoperative factors associated with improved postoperative fixation.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 60 eyes with idiopathic ERM.
- Ophthalmic examinations preoperatively and at 1, 4, and 10 months postoperatively.
- Assessment of fixation stability, position, bivariate contour ellipse area, and preferred retinal locus.
Main Results:
- Significant increase in stable and predominantly central fixation post-ERM surgery (P = 0.001; P = 0.037).
- Preoperative factors for improved fixation stability include larger bivariate contour ellipse area, poorer visual acuity, advanced stage, thicker central fovea, and longer preferred retinal locus-fovea distance.
- Preoperative factors for improved fixation location include age, central fovea thickness, and preferred retinal locus-fovea distance.
Conclusions:
- ERM surgery leads to significant changes in fixation parameters.
- Patients with preoperative unstable fixation and poor best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) experience substantial benefits.
- ERM surgery effectively recovers visual function, even in eyes with severe macular damage.
