Association of Epiretinal Membrane With Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma and Long-term Factors Affecting Visual Function

Epiretinal membrane (ERM) tended to deteriorate more in pseudoexfoliation eyes with than without glaucoma. Incremental change in central macular thickness (CMT) induced by ERM deterioration affected longitudinal visual function in pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PXG) eyes.

The aim was to investigate longitudinal changes in the ERM and their association with glaucoma in patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PXS) and to identify factors associated with the changes in ERM and visual field (VF).

One hundred two eyes with PXG and 32 eyes with nonglaucomatous pseudoexfoliation (ngPX) (mean 8.1±2.6 years of follow-up).

Two observers independently assessed the presence and staging of ERM (stages 1, 2, and ≥3) on serial macular images of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. Clinical characteristics were compared in eyes with ERM (+) and (-) in both groups. The relationship between putative factors and changes in ERM was determined using logistic regression analysis. Prognostic factors of VF worsening were assessed by Cox proportional hazard analysis.

Of the 102 eyes with PXG, 22 (21.6%) had an ERM at baseline; of the latter, 6 eyes deteriorated (all from stage 1 to 2) and 3 eyes with PXG developed new ERM during follow-up. Of the 32 ngPX eyes, 8 (25%) had an ERM at baseline, with none changing over time. The presence of glaucoma was marginally associated with ERM deterioration (odds ratio: 1.061, P =0.064). Incremental change in CMT was the only factor associated with VF progression (hazard ratio: 1.040, P =0.029) in PXG eyes.

ERM tended to deteriorate more in PXS eyes with than without glaucoma. Incremental change in CMT induced by ERM deterioration affected longitudinal visual function in PXG eyes.