Comparison of Visual Acuity and Retinal Thickness According to Membranectomy in Idiopathic Epiretinal Membrane

Abstract

Purpose: To compare the visual acuity and retinal thickness in patients with an idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM) after vitrectomy and membranectomy using two different methods. Methods: This retrospective observational study included 77 eyes (32 eyes in the diamond-dusted membrane scraper [DDMS] group, and 45 eyes in the intraocular forceps [IOF] group) of 77 patients with idiopathic ERM who underwent pars plane vitrectomy and membranectomy. The main outcome measures were best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA, logMAR) and mean retinal thickness. Results: In the IOF group, the BCVA at postoperative 1 week was significantly lower than at baseline and had improved at 12 weeks after surgery. In the DDMS group, the BCVA at postoperative 1 week showed no significant difference at baseline and had improved at 4 weeks after surgery. The central macular thickness at postoperative 6 months was significantly lower than at baseline (all, p < 0.001); there was no significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.400). The postoperative macular thickness of the DDMS group was significantly lower than that of the IOF group in the inner inferior and outer inferior areas at postoperative 12 weeks and 4 weeks (p = 0.046 and p = 0.039, respectively). Five eyes of the DDMS group and 15 eyes of the IOF group developed cystoid macular edema, 14 eyes of that improved without treatment. Conclusions: In patients with ERM, the use of DDMS or IOF for vitrectomy and membranectomy both resulted in improved visual acuity and decreased mean retinal thicknesses.