Surgical Outcomes of Epiretinal Membranes with and without Epiretinal Proliferation: A Comparative Study

The aim of the study was to compare clinical findings, OCT characteristics, and postoperative outcomes in eyes with epiretinal membrane (ERM) with and without associated epiretinal proliferation (EP).

Eyes with ERM with or without associated EP were analyzed for clinical findings and OCT characteristics. The primary outcomes measured were changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and OCT features from baseline to the final follow-up visit. Patients with ERM were categorized into two groups based on the presence or absence of EP. Surgical outcomes were also evaluated.

Significant changes were reached in each group, particularly for BCVA (p < 0.001 for the ERM group, p = 0.010 for the EP-ERM group). Compared with ERM eyes, EP-ERM had a lower BCVA recovery at 6 months after surgery (p = 0.009). EP-ERM patients demonstrated more frequent microcystic macular edema (MME) (73.3% vs. 37.1%, p = 0.008) and increased central retinal thickness (CRT) (p < 0.001) at 6 months after surgery. No statistically significant differences in terms of external limiting membrane and ellipsoid zone defects were registered at 6 months (p = 0.234, p = 0.446, respectively).

EP-ERM showed poorer post-surgical BCVA compared with ERM alone. EP-ERM had a greater chance of MME at 6 months after surgery, with higher CRT. These findings highlight the need for deeper assessment of ERM characteristics to accurately predict surgical outcomes.