The Clinical Outcome and Prognostic Factors of Vitrectomy for Macular Epiretinal Membranes.

Lee, Hyo Jin; Kim, Hyung Chan

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society 2003;44(4):857-864.
Published online April 1, 2003.

The Clinical Outcome and Prognostic Factors of Vitrectomy for Macular Epiretinal Membranes.

Department of Ophthalmology, Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University, College of Medicine Seoul, Korea. eyedrkim@edunet4u.net

황반 망막전막에 대한 유리체절제술의 효과 및 예후인자

이효진 ( Hyo Jin Lee ) , 김형찬 ( Hyung Chan Kim )

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate the clinical outcome of vitrectomy on macular epiretinal membrane (ERM) and to identify prognostic factors for good postoperative visual acuity. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 73 patients with macular epiretinal membrane, who were treated by vitrectomy between 1988 and 2001, and followed for more than 3 months. RESULTS: Idiopathic ERM was 18 eyes (24.6%), and secondary ERM was 55 eyes (75.4%) among 73 eyes. The causes of secondary ERM were intraocular inflammation in 32 eyes, postsurgery in 12 eyes, trauma in 8 eyes and retinal vascular diseases in 3 eyes. Postoperatively, visual acuity improved at least 2 lines or more in 49 eyes (67.1%), unchanged in 17 eyes (23.3%), worsened in 7 eyes (9.6%). Postoperative complications occurred in 24 eyes (32.8%). They were cataract progression in 12 of 65 phakic eyes, recurred membranes in 4 eyes, retinal break in 3 eyes, and increased IOP, endophthalmitis, macular hole, hypotony. Among the various prognostic factors, preoperative visual acuity and idiopathic ERM showed statistical significance in this study (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that vitrectomy for macular ERM resulted in favorable visual improvement (67.1%) and preoperative visual acuity and idiopathic ERM were significant prognostic factors.

Key Words: Macular epiretinal membrane;Prognostic factors;Vitrectomy