Epiretinal Membrane Progression Following Cataract Surgery

Purpose: To investigate the progression of epiretinal membrane (ERM) following cataract surgery using optical coherence tomography (OCT)-based biomarkers. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted from January 2012 to February 2022, assessing eyes with preexisting idiopathic ERM that underwent uncomplicated cataract surgery. An established ERM grading scale was used, and OCT features, along with visual outcomes, were evaluated. Results: The study followed 67 eyes for an average of 47.8 months after cataract surgery. Initially, 83.6% of eyes had stage 1 ERM, 13.4% had stage 2, and 3% had stage 3. Nonsignificant ERM progression occurred 59 weeks postoperatively. Among stage 1 eyes, 16.1% progressed to stage 2; 11.1% of stage 2 eyes progressed to stage 3; and 50% of stage 3 eyes progressed to stage 4. Additionally, 10.4% developed or experienced worsened macular edema following cataract surgery, and 6% underwent vitrectomy. In eyes managed without vitrectomy, visual acuity (VA) improved 1 month after cataract surgery (P = .018) and remained stable over a 4-year period. Conclusions: Eyes with mild-stage ERM that demonstrate improved VA after cataract surgery tend to maintain these improvements over a 4-year period and do not typically progress.