Internal Limiting Membrane Loop Configurations in Epiretinal Membrane: Prevalence, Imaging Associations and OCT...

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Medical Imaging
• Retinal Diseases

Background:

• Epiretinal membrane (ERM) is a common condition affecting the macula.
• Internal limiting membrane (ILM) abnormalities can occur in ERM.
• Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is crucial for visualizing retinal structures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize internal limiting membrane (ILM) loop configurations using optical coherence tomography (OCT) in eyes with epiretinal membrane (ERM).
• To evaluate the association of ILM loops with visual acuity (VA), ILM tear, posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), and ERM grade.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective observational cross-sectional study of 138 eyes with non-surgical ERM.
• Spectral-domain OCT was used to identify and analyze ILM loops, including their number and macular distribution.
• Associations with VA, ILM tear, PVD (Engelbert classification), and ERM grade (Govetto classification) were statistically analyzed.

Main Results:

• ILM loops were identified in 15.2% of eyes.
• ILM loops were significantly more prevalent in eyes with ILM tears (50.0% vs 4.7%, OR 20.2, p < 0.0001).
• Loop-positive eyes showed higher ERM grades (p=0.035) and a trend towards more complete PVD (p=0.065).

Conclusions:

• ILM loops are a distinct OCT feature in ERM, strongly associated with ILM tears.
• These findings suggest ILM loops may represent ILM retraction after a tear.
• Recognition of ILM loops enhances the evaluation of ERM by retinal physicians.