Structural and functional outcomes of retinal displacement after epiretinal membrane surgery with internal limiting membrane peeling

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the structural and functional outcomes of retinal displacement after epiretinal membrane surgery (ERM) with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling. Materials and Methods: The records of 56 eyes of 56 patients who underwent idiopathic ERM surgery were reviewed retrospectively. Change of fovea to optic disc (FOD) and interarcade distances (ID) at postoperative month 6 were evaluated for determination of the amount of retinal displacement. The integrity of external limiting membrane (ELM), ellipsoid zone (EZ) and cone outer segment tips (COST) and the presence of dissociated optic nerve fiber layer (DONFL) at month 6 were determined with optical coherence tomography. Corrected distance visual acuities (CDVAs) were measured before and 6 months after surgery. Results: Pre and postoperative FOD were 3668±284? and 3555±268?. Pre and postoperative ID were 7303±529? and 7635±575?. ELM was intact in 46 (82%) eyes, EZ in 38 (68%) eyes and COST in 38 (68%) eyes. DONFL was detected in 40 (71%) eyes. Mean pre and postoperative CDVA were logMAR 0.53±0.2 and 0.2±0.18. There was no correlation between postoperative CDVA and FOD change (Spearman’s rho=0.136) and ID change (Spearman’s rho=0.19). DONFL was significantly associated with FOD and ID change (p=0.013 ve p=0,02, respectively). Postoperative ELM-EZ and COST integrity were not associated with FOD and ID change. Conclusions: Macula seems to displace toward optic disc and expand in vertical direction following ERM and ILM peeling. There seems no correlation between retinal displacement and visual outcomes. Presence of DONFL may be related to increased retinal displacement. © 2019 Gazi Eye Foundation. All rights reserved.