The residual epiretinal membrane after vitrectomy for macular hole.
BACKGROUND
We retrospectively observed idiopathic macular holes in 63 eyes using a scanning laser ophthalmoscope, in order to study the relation between postoperative epiretinal membranes and closure of macular holes following vitrectomy.


METHODS
The eyes were classified into three groups based on the degree of the postoperative epiretinal membranes. Group I consisted of 23 eyes with no epiretinal membrane remaining on the retina after vitrectomy. Group II consisted of 20 eyes in which epiretinal membranes were observed on the retina, but separate from the edge of the macular hole. Group III consisted of 20 eyes in which epiretinal membranes were observed at the edge of the macular hole. Using these three groups, we studied how postoperative epiretinal membranes were related to the closure of macular holes.


RESULTS
All macular holes (100%) in groups I and II were closed following vitrectomy. In group III, 5 (25.0%) of 20 eyes had complete closure and 13 eyes (65.0%) had incomplete closure of the macular hole, while 2 eyes (10.0%) had re-opening of initially closed macular holes several months after vitrectomy.


CONCLUSIONS
Residual postoperative epiretinal membranes at the edge of macular hole are responsible for primary failure of vitrectomy. Removal of epiretinal tissues around the macular hole is important for macular hole to be closed following vitrectomy.
Kurihara
K
K
Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
Ishibashi
T
T
Oshima
K
K
D019773:Epiretinal Membrane / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D009887:Ophthalmoscopy / Q000379:methods; D012086:Reoperation; D012167:Retinal Perforations / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014741:Video Recording; D014821:Vitrectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*