[Surgical prognosis in idiopathic vitreomacular syndrome and epimacular membrane].
BACKGROUND
The natural history shows less progression for epimacular membrane than for vitreomacular traction syndrome. We tested the hypothesis that the surgical prognosis in idiopathic cases is also better for epimacular membrane.


METHODS
This retrospective study investigated a consecutive series of 63 epimacular membrane cases (group I) and 25 vitreomacular traction syndrome cases (group II) that were operated on and followed up for a minimum of 6 months. Eyes that had undergone previous surgery or had posterior or peripheral retinal lesions were excluded. In bilateral macular surgery cases, only the first eye was included. The outcome measures were far and near visual acuities preoperatively and 6 months after surgery, taking into account the crystalline lens condition, the incidence of retinal tears, detachments, and epimacular membrane recurrences.


RESULTS
At 6 months, if the lens was stable or operated on, the visual acuity showed at least a two-line improvement in 100% of the cases (12/12) in group I, and 60% (3/5) in group II. The incidence of retinal detachment and tears was 1.5% (1) and 1.5% (1), respectively, in group I, and 8% (2) and 4% (1), respectively, in group II. Recurrence of an epimacular membrane was observed in 6% of the cases (4) in group I and 8% (2) in group II.


CONCLUSIONS
In idiopathic cases, the absence of preoperative vitreomacular adhesion seems to carry a better surgical prognosis for epimacular membrane than vitreomacular traction syndrome.
Gribomont
A-C
AC
Cliniques Universitaires Saint Luc, Université Catholique de Louvain, Bruxelles, Belgique.
D006801:Humans; D008266:Macula Lutea; D011379:Prognosis; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013577:Syndrome; D020255:Vitreous Detachment / Q000601:surgery*