The outcomes of epiretinal membrane peeling in patients with foveal herniation

Abstract

Abstract Background To evaluate the surgical outcomes of vitrectomy in patients with foveal herniation associated with epiretinal membrane (ERM). Methods This was a retrospective case series. The patients who had a foveal herniation associated with ERM, underwent vitrectomy, and had a minimum follow-up period of 12 months were included. The visual and anatomical outcomes were assessed during the first 12 months of follow-up and at the last follow-up visit. The main outcome measure was the reorganization pattern of foveal pit at month 12. Results Eleven eyes of 11 patients were included. The mean postoperative follow-up period was 14.8 ± 2.6 months. The foveal contour was completely restored in 5 eyes (45.5%), partially restored in 5 eyes (45.5%), and was not restored in 1 eye (9.1%) at postoperative month 12 follow-up visit. The mean preoperative best corrected visual acuity was 0.61 ± 0.16 LogMAR and increased to 0.49 ± 0.16 LogMAR at month 12 (p < 0.0001). The mean preoperative central retinal thickness was 476 ± 128 micrometers and decreased to 302 ± 70 micrometers at month 12 (p < 0.0001). Conclusion The foveal contour was restored in 45.5% of the eyes and visual acuity was significantly increased by a mean of 1.2 LogMAR lines at month 12 in patients with foveal herniation associated with ERM.

Keywords

• Epiretinal membrane
• Foveal herniation
• Vitrectomy