[Value of Lotmar interferometry with vision assessment for predicting visual acuity after surgery of epimacular membranes].
BACKGROUND
To determine the usefulness of preoperative Lotmar interferometry to predict visual acuity recovery after surgery for epimacular membrane.


METHODS
From 1999 to 2001, thirty pseudophakic eyes that underwent surgery for removal of epimacular membrane were examined prospectively. Visual acuity (VA) was recorded with the ETDRS chart before surgery and 6 months or more after (mean follow-up: 7.5 months). Lotmar interferometry was performed before surgery and its result was compared with the VA measured after surgery.


RESULTS
The mean preoperative VA was 0.4 - 3 (20/55). The Lotmar VA (mean: 0.5, 20/40) was lower than the final postoperative VA (mean: 0.66, 20/30), p < 0.001. The Lotmar VA was found within one ETDRS line of the final postoperative VA in 10 cases (33 %). The Lotmar VA was > 1 line lower than the final postoperative VA in 17 cases (57 %) and was 1 - 3 lines higher in 3 cases (10 %).


CONCLUSIONS
Lotmar interferometry tends to underestimate the final postoperative VA after surgery for epimacular membrane. A low value does not allow any relevant prediction. A high value is interesting since the risk to have a false-positive is low.
Bovey
Etienne H
EH
Hôpital Ophthalmique Jules Gonin, Lausanne, Suisse. etienne.bovey@ophtal.vd.ch
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019773:Epiretinal Membrane / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007368:Interferometry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019591:Pseudophakia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology*; D014821:Vitrectomy