title: Comparison of visual function after epiretinal membrane removal by 20-gauge and 25-gauge vitrectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the efficacy and safety of 25-gauge vitrectomy with 20-gauge vitrectomy for macular pucker.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized clinical study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-seven eyes (67 patients) with macular pucker were prospectively and randomly assigned to undergo 20-gauge vitrectomy or 25-gauge vitrectomy as a control group. Main outcome measurements consisted of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), mean induced astigmatism, total operation time, and postoperative complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean BCVA at baseline and at one month and six months after surgery was 20/78, 20/62, and 20/42, respectively, in the 20-gauge group, and 20/85, 20/45, and 20/40 in the 25-gauge group. A significant difference in change in the logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution of BCVA between 20-gauge and 25-gauge was found at one month (-0.10 vs -0.269, P < .001), but not at six months (-0.327 vs -0.276, P > .01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  If faster visual improvement is desired, 25-gauge vitrectomy may be preferable to 20-gauge vitrectomy for macular pucker.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Yokohama City University Medical Center, Yokohama, Japan. kado@med.yokohama-cu.ac.jp
authors.forename: Kazuaki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kadonosono
authors.forename: Tadashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamakawa
authors.forename: Eiichi
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Uchio
authors.forename: Yasuo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yanagi
authors.forename: Yasuhiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tamaki
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Araie
mesh_terms: D001251:Astigmatism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D019781:Corneal Topography; D019773:Epiretinal Membrane / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology*; D014821:Vitrectomy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*