Assessment of Retinal Function Using Full-Field Electroretinography in Patients Undergoing Vitrectomy for a Macular...

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Retinal Surgery
• Visual Electrophysiology

Background:

• Full-thickness macular holes (FTMH) affect central vision.
• Vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling is a standard surgical approach.
• Assessing pre- and post-operative retinal function is crucial for understanding surgical outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate retinal function before and after vitrectomy in patients with FTMH.
• To assess the efficacy of 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with ILM peeling and gas tamponade.
• To correlate anatomical and functional outcomes using electroretinography (ERG).

Main Methods:

• 48 patients with FTMH underwent PPV with ILM peeling and gas tamponade.
• Retinal function assessed using the RETeval™ device, measuring photopic responses, photopic negative response (PhNR), and ON-OFF responses.
• Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) used for anatomical evaluation.

Main Results:

• All 48 patients achieved anatomical closure of the FTMH post-surgery.
• Significant improvements in distance best corrected visual acuity (DBCVA) and near best corrected visual acuity (NBCVA) were observed (p < 0.001).
• Preoperative ERG showed no significant difference between affected and healthy eyes, suggesting localized FTMH impact. Postoperative photopic ERG implicit times were prolonged in operated eyes.

Conclusions:

• The RETeval™ system offers a non-invasive method for monitoring retinal function post-vitrectomy for FTMH.
• FTMH is primarily a localized issue, not causing significant widespread retinal dysfunction.
• Vitrectomy effectively restores anatomical structure and improves visual acuity in FTMH patients.