RECURRENCE OF IDIOPATHIC EPIRETINAL MEMBRANE AND ITS PREDISPOSING FACTORS: An Optical Coherence Tomography Study

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the incidence and clinical course of recurrent epiretinal membrane (ERM) after ERM surgery and to identify predisposing optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings for the recurrence.

Methods: Postoperative ERM recurrence, defined as reappearance of the membrane after its removal or regrowth of the remnant membrane, was investigated in 301 eyes with idiopathic ERM followed up for more than 6 months after macular surgery by fundus photographs and spectral-domain OCT. The incidences of recurrent ERM and its associated clinical characteristics were assessed. Preceding OCT findings in the area subsequently showing recurrent ERM were evaluated at early postoperative periods.

Results: Among the 301 eyes that underwent ERM peeling, 119 (39.5%) and 86 (28.6%) showed ERM recurrence on OCT images and biomicroscopic examination/fundus photographs, respectively, during the follow-up period (average: 18.1 months). Neighboring remnant membrane and hyperreflective dots on the retinal surface at 1 week after the surgery and postoperative inner retinal wrinkling persisting for ≥1 month were predisposing OCT findings for ERM recurrence, with an odds ratio of 6.48 (95% confidence interval, 3.51-12.0), 3.48 (95% confidence interval, 1.81-6.70), and 6.11 (95% confidence interval, 3.30-11.3), respectively (all P < 0.001).

Conclusion: Incidence of ERM recurrence varies depending on the definition used for the recurrence. Optical coherence tomography examination may be useful for the prediction and sensitive detection of recurrent ERM.