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Hwang, Na, Kwon, and Park: Long-Term Changes in Visual Acuity and Foveal Thickness after Vitrectomy for Idiopathic Epiretinal Membrane
Original Article
Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society

Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society 2012; 53(3): 434-439.

Published online: 15 March 2012

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3341/jkos.2012.53.3.434

Long-Term Changes in Visual Acuity and Foveal Thickness after Vitrectomy for Idiopathic Epiretinal Membrane

Duck Jin Hwang, MD1, Kyeong Ik Na, MD2, Soon Il Kwon, MD2, In Won Park, MD, PhD2

1Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

2Department of Ophthalmology, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Anyang, Korea.

Address reprint requests to In Won Park, MD, PhD. Department of Ophthalmology, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, #22 Gwanpyeong-ro 170 beon-gil, Dongan-gu, Anyang 431-070, Korea. Tel: 82-31-380-3835, Fax: 82-31-380-3837, eyemd@daum.net

Received 7 March 2011       Accepted 22 February 2012

Copyright © 2012 The Korean Ophthalmological Society

Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate the clinical outcomes of visual acuity and foveal thickness after vitrectomy for an idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM).

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the records of 62 patients (62 eyes) with ERM who had been treated with vitrectomy between 2004 and 2009. Visual acuity and central macular thickness from optical coherence tomography imaging were obtained preoperatively and at every postoperative follow-up visit.

Results

Mean preoperative visual acuity and central macular thickness were 0.495 ± 0.292 log MAR and 414.645 ± 95.528 µm, respectively. Mean visual acuity and central macular thickness 1 month after surgery were 0.389 ± 0.373 log MAR and 341.484 ± 73.676 µm, respectively. Visual acuity improved within 9 months and central macular thickness significantly decreased 12 months after surgery. Most of the changes in visual acuity and central macular thickness took place during the first 3 months. The only parameter which was significantly correlated with final visual acuity was preoperative visual acuity (0.635) (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Visual acuity and central macular thickness improved 12 months months after vitrectomy in patients with idiopathic ERM. Preoperative visual acuity had a significant correlation with final visual acuity.

Keywords: Epiretinal membrane, Foveal thickness, Visual acuity

Figures and Tables

Figure 1
Flow diagram showing the selection process of idiopathic epiretinal membrane patients.
jkos-53-434-g001
Figure 2
Changes of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) after epiretinal membrane surgery. Group I includes patients who went vitrectomy only and group II consists of patients who went combined surgery (vitrectomy and cataract surgery). Two group did not show significant differences of final visual acuity. log MAR = logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution; Preop = before surgery.
jkos-53-434-g002
Figure 3
Changes of central macular thickness (CMT) after epiretinal membrane surgery. Group I includes patients who went vitrectomy only and group II consists of patients who went combined surgery (vitrectomy and cataract surgery). Two group did not show significant differences of CMT. CMT = central macular thickness; Preop = before surgery.
jkos-53-434-g003
Table 1
Baseline demographics of the idiopathic epiretinal membrane patients (n = 62)
jkos-53-434-i001

Values are presented as mean ± SD or n (%).

Table 2
Correlation between BCVA and CMT (n = 62)
jkos-53-434-i002

BCVA = best-corrected visual acuity; CMT = central macular thickness; mon = month(s).

*Before surgery; †Pearson correlation coefficient.

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