[Study on macular morphology after removal of the idiopathic epiretinal membrane using the optical coherence tomography (OCT): a pilot study]

Abstract

Purpose: To describe the relation between visual results and macular morphology through optical coherence tomography (OCT) in patients submitted to removal of the idiopathic epiretinal membranes.

Methods: Ten eyes of ten patients with diagnosis of idiopathic epiretinal membranes underwent standard 20-G pars plana vitrectomy. Posterior hyaloid attachments were identified and dealt with. Idiopathic epiretinal membranes were removed in all cases. Corrected visual acuity, retinography, fluorescein angiography, fundus biomicroscopy and the optical coherence tomography in the pre- and postoperative periods were performed in all patients. In OCT, three characteristics were considered in each image: presence of foveal depression, presence of cystoid macular edema and mean central macular thickness.

Results: Pre-operative visual acuity varied from 20/80 to counting fingers. The mean age was 63 years, ranging from 57 to 78 years. Five patients were male and five female. Preoperative visual acuity (VA) varied from 20/80 to CD to 1 meter. An improvement in VA of at least two lines was noted in all cases and metamorphopsia in eight eyes (80%). Four patients did not present metamorphopsia according to Amsler grid test, and the remaining presented partial improvement. On optical coherence tomography all eyes maintained increased central thickness, ranging from 232 to 605 micro (mean of 351.9 micro). Three eyes maintained cystoid macular edema. Four eyes presented final VA better or equal to 20/30. In this group the mean central thickness was of 277 micro. Foveal contour was recovered in two of these eyes. Four patients had no residual cystoid macular edema.

Conclusions: Optical coherence tomography is a tool that evaluates the structural changes before and after surgery to remove idiopathic epiretinal membranes. Although the foveal area architecture stays irregular six months after surgery, the visual outcomes are very promising. Other prognostics factors may be involved in the final visual results of this pathology.