Abstract
Objective
To describe retinal morphology in idiopathic epiretinal membranes (ERMs) and to evaluate
factors influencing function at different postoperative times up to 24 months.
Design
Retrospective study.
Participants
A total of 121 eyes of 117 patients followed with spectral-domain optical coherence
tomography for 24 months.
Methods
The following details were analyzed: type of ERM, central retinal thickness, and status
of all retina layers in the fovea, especially the outer nuclear layer (ONL) and photoreceptor
layer. We evaluated the presence of disorganization of retinal inner layers (DRIL),
ectopic inner foveal layer (EIFL), elevation (stretching) of the ONL, cotton ball
sign, and type connection between the retina and ERMs (complete adherence or multiple
junction spots).
Results
The percentage of DRIL, EILF, and stretched ONL decreased. Several factors negatively
influenced visual acuity during the early postoperative controls: age, interdigitation
zone defects; presence of cotton ball sign, DRIL, EIFL, and stretched ONL; and strong
adhesion of the ERMs to the retina. Twenty-four months after surgery, only DRIL and
strong adhesion between ERMs and the retina remained statistically significant.
Conclusions
Younger patients (p < 0.001) and patients without DRIL (p < 0.001) experienced a faster recovery of function. The length of follow-up was associated
with a decrease of factors influencing the final outcome. After 24 months, only the
presence of DRIL and strong adhesion between the ERMs and the retina were significant.
Assuming that DRIL appears in more advanced stages when compared with EIFL, this allows
us to suggest that earlier surgery might be of more benefit in idiopathic ERMs.
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Article Info
Publication History
Published online: July 25, 2022
Accepted:
June 23,
2022
Received in revised form:
October 21,
2021
Received:
May 24,
2021
Publication stage
In Press Corrected ProofIdentification
Copyright
© 2022 Canadian Ophthalmological Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
