Restoration of retinal layers after epiretinal membrane peeling.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the morphologic restoration of retinal anatomy after surgery for epiretinal membrane (ERM) peeling using spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Correlation of retinal structure with visual outcome.


METHODS
Retrospective consecutive case series.


METHODS
Thirty-four consecutive eyes with ERM underwent surgery with 1 year follow-up examination. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography scans were analyzed preoperatively and 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months postoperative. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) using Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study charts was measured at each visit.


RESULTS
All eyes showed a significant improvement of BCVA after ERM peeling (P = 0.002). The time point of BCVA and retinal restoration seen on spectral domain optical coherence tomography occurred simultaneously and varied between individuals (occurrence of BCVA: mean, 4.82 months; retinal restoration: mean, 4.24 months). At 3 months, the retinal anatomical restoration rate was 70% and 88% at 6 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Restoration of the retinal anatomical structure predominantly occurs within the first 3 months post-ERM peeling. An improvement of BCVA and anatomical retinal restoration after ERM removal varies in individuals. If retinal layers fully restore in their anatomical structure, BCVA improves at the same time point.
*Department of Ophthalmology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California; †Department of Ophthalmology, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany; and ‡Department of Ophthalmology, Sanggye Paik Hospital, Inje University, Seoul, South Korea.
Kathrin I
KI
Hartmann
Alexander K
AK
Schuster
Dirk-Uwe
DU
Bartsch
Jae Suk
JS
Kim
Jay
J
Chhablani
William R
WR
Freeman
D000368:Aged; D019773:Epiretinal Membrane / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures; D012160:Retina / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology*