Choroidal macrovascular and capillary alterations in eyes with idiopathic epiretinal membranes

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate the choroidal vascular alterations and effect of surgical treatment in the setting of idiopathic epiretinal membranes. Methods: The structure of the choroid was studied in 33 patients with unilateral idiopathic epiretinal membrane using optical coherence tomography with enhanced depth imaging and optical coherence tomography angiography. Eyes with epiretinal membrane underwent 25-gauge vitrectomy with epiretinal membrane and internal limiting membrane peeling. The choroidal vascularity index, Haller layer/choroidal thickness ratio, and choriocapillaris flow density were used to evaluate changes in choroidal structure after surgery and compare with the healthy fellow eyes. Results: The choroidal vascularity index and Haller layer/choroidal thickness ratio of the eyes with epiretinal membrane were higher than those of the fellow eyes at baseline (p=0.009 and p=0.04, respectively) and decreased postoperatively compared with preoperative values (p=0.009 and p=0.001, respectively). The choriocapillaris flow of eyes with epiretinal membrane was lower than that of the fellow eyes at baseline (p=0.001) and increased after surgery compared with the preoperative value (p=0.04). The choroidal vascularity index, Haller layer/choroidal thickness ratio, and choriocapillaris flow values of the healthy fellow eyes were comparable at baseline and final visit. In eyes with epiretinal membrane, the final choroidal vascularity index correlated with the final choriocapillaris flow (r=-0.749, p=0.008) in the multivariate analysis. Conclusion: Idiopathic epiretinal membrane appears to affect the choroidal structure with increased choroidal vascularity index and Haller layer/choroidal thickness ratio and decreased choriocapillaris flow. These macrovascular (choroidal vascularity index and Haller layer/choroidal thickness) and microvascular (choriocapillaris flow) alterations appear to be relieved by surgical treatment of the epiretinal membranes.

Standard internal limiting membrane peeling versus internal limiting membrane abrasion technique for primary epiretinal membrane surgery / Remoção padrão da membrana limitante interna versus técnica de abrasão da membrana limitante interna em cirurgia primária de membrana epirretiniana

ABSTRACT Purposes: The purpose of this study is to compare the standard inner limiting membrane peeling technique to the inner limiting membrane abrasion technique with respect to visual outcomes and central retinal thickness in the primary epiretinal membrane surgery. Methods: A total of 59 eyes from 57 epiretinal membrane patients were separated into two groups including the standard inner limiting membrane peeling group and the inner limiting membrane peeling with abrasion technique group. At 6, 12, and 24 months of follow-up, the mean alteration in best-corrected visual acuity and central retinal thickness were assessed for each group. Results: The study includes 32 (54%) standard inner peeling and 27 (46%) inner limiting membrane peeling with abrasion technique patients. The mean preoperative logMAR best-corrected visual acuity for the standard inner limiting membrane peeling and inner limiting membrane peeling with abrasion groups was 0.73 (±0.29) and 0.61 (±0.3) respectively. At 6, 12, and 24 months of follow-up, the best-corrected visual acuity improved significantly in each group. At each period of observation, the alteration in best-corrected visual acuity was not statistically significant (p=0.54, p=0.52, p=0.67). When comparing the alterations between the standard inner limiting membrane peeling and inner limiting membrane peeling with abrasion technique groups at 6 months (p=0.26) and 24 months (p=0.06), no statistically significant differences were observed, but they were statistically different at 12 months (p=0.03), reflecting a greater reduction in central retinal thickness for the inner limiting membrane peeling with abrasion technique group after one year. Conclusion: Abrasion of the inner limiting membrane with a diamond-dusted membrane scraper during epiretinal membrane surgery demonstrates similar effectiveness to the standard inner limiting membrane peeling technique. At 12 months, retinal thinning was found to be more significant in inner limiting membrane peeling with abrasion technique patients in terms of central retinal thickness values. As a result, it may be argued that the inner limiting membrane abrasion technique eliminates the inner limiting membrane and related structures more effectively while inflicting less retinal damage.

RESUMO Objetivo: Este estudo tem como objetivo comparar a técnica padrão de peeling da membrana limitadora interna com a técnica de abrasão da membrana limitadora interna com relação aos resultados visuais e à espessura central da retina na cirurgia primária de membrana epirretiniana. Métodos: Cinquenta e nove olhos de 57 pacientes com membrana epirretiniana foram divididos em dois grupos, incluindo o grupo de remoção padrão da membrana limitante interna e o grupo de remoção da membrana limitante interna com técnica de abrasão. A alteração média da melhor acuidade visual corrigida e da espessura central da retina foram medidas para cada grupo aos 6, 12 e 24 meses de acompanhamento. Resultados: O estudo incluiu 32 (54%) de padrão de membrana limitante e 27 (46%) de membrana interna com técnica de abrasão. A média de logMar pré-operatório de melhor acuidade visual corrigida foi de 0,73 (±0,29) e 0,61 (±0,3) para os grupos de remoção padrão da membrana limitante interna e de remoção da membrana limitante interna com técnica de abrasão, respectivamente. A melhor acuidade visual corrigida melhorou significativamente em cada grupo aos 6, 12 e 24 meses de acompanhamento. A alteração na melhor acuidade visual corrigida não foi estatisticamente significante (p=0,54, p=0,52, p=0,67) em cada período de observação. Quanto à espessura central da retina, diferenças estatisticamente significativas não foram observadas aos 6 meses (p=0,26) e 24 meses (p=0,06), mas foram estatisticamente diferentes aos 12 meses (p=0,03) quando comparadas às alterações entre os grupos de remoção padrão da membrana limitante interna e de remoção da membrana limitante interna com técnica de abrasão, refletindo uma maior redução da espessura central da retina para o grupo de remoção da membrana limitante interna com técnica de abrasão após um ano. Conclusão: A abrasão da membrana limitante interna com um raspador de membrana com pó de diamante em cirurgia de membrana epirretiniana demonstra eficácia semelhante com a técnica de remoção padrão de membrana limitante interna. Em relação aos valores de espessura central da retina, o afinamento da retina foi mais significativo em pacientes com remoção da membrana limitante interna com técnica de abrasão aos 12 meses. Assim, pode-se argumentar que a técnica de abrasão da membrana limitante interna remove a membrana limitante interna e as estruturas relacionadas de forma mais eficaz sem causar danos significativos à retina.

Novel optical coherence tomography findings in a patient with methanol toxicity: a case report

ABSTRACT We report a case of acute methanol toxicity with unique optical coherence tomography findings. A 56-year-old man was referred to our ophthalmology clinic with a history of handmade vodka consumption and vision loss. On ophthalmologic examination, his vision was 20/100 in his right eye and 20/200 in his left eye. Bilateral mild optic disk hyperemia was detected on fundus examination. Because of the severity of systemic symptoms in such cases, it is very difficult to include optical coherence tomography in the ophthalmologic examination. However, we managed to perform optical coherence tomography and recorded shallow subretinal fluid and a prominent middle limiting membrane sign as acute retinal structural changes in the patient. The patient was treated with hemodialysis, intravenous ethanol, and sodium bicarbonate. On the fourth day of treatment, visual acuity improved to 20/20 in both eyes. In addition, the prominent middle limiting membrane sign and subretinal fluid disappeared. In this unusual case, retinal pigment epithelium damage and retinal ischemia may have contributed to the prominent middle limiting membrane and subretinal fluid, which are novel optical coherence tomography findings of methanol toxicity.

Effects of the epiretinal membrane on the outcomes of intravitreal dexamethasone implantation for macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion / Os efeitos de uma membrana epirretiniana nos resultados da implantação de dexametasona intravítrea para edema macular secundário à oclusão de ramo da veia retiniana

ABSTRACT Purpose: To investigate the effects of epiretinal membrane formation on the clinical outcomes of intravitreal dexamethasone implantation for macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion. Methods: This retrospective interventional case series includes the treatment of naive patients with macular edema secondary to non-ischemic branch retinal vein occlusion who underwent intravitreal dexamethasone implantation. The patients were divided into two groups as follows: Group 1 (n=25), comprised of patients with macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion without epiretinal membrane, and Group 2 (n=16), comprised of patients with macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion with an epiretinal membrane. Corrected visual acuity, central macular thickness, and central macular volume values were measured before and after treatment. The clinical outcomes of the groups were compared. Results: Mean age and male-to-female ratio were similar between the two groups (p>0.05, for both). The baseline and final corrected visual acuity values, central macular thickness, and central macular volumes of the groups were similar (p>0.05, for all). All the parameters were significantly improved after intravitreal dexamethasone implantation treatment (p<0.001, for all). The changes in central macular thickness and volume were also similar (p>0.05, for both). The mean number of intravitreal dexamethasone implantations was 2.1 ± 1.0 (range, 1-4) in Group 1 and 3.0 ± 1.2 (range, 1-5) in Group 2 (p=0.043). Conclusion: Epiretinal membrane formation had no effects on the baseline and final clinical parameters, including corrected visual acuity and central macular thickness and volume. The only parameter affected by the presence of epiretinal membrane formation is the number of intravitreal dexamethasone implantations, a greater number of which is needed for macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion with an epiretinal membrane.

RESUMO Objetivo: Investigar os efeitos da formação de uma membrana epirretiniana nos resultados clínicos da implantação intravítrea de dexametasona para edema macular secundário à oclusão de um ramo da veia retiniana. Métodos: Esta série retrospectiva de casos intervencionais inclui o tratamento de indivíduos com edema macular secundário à oclusão não isquêmica de um ramo da veia retiniana, sem tratamento prévio e que foram submetidos a implantação intravítrea de dexametasona. Os indivíduos foram divididos em dois grupos: Grupo 1 (n=25), composto por indivíduos com edema macular secundário à oclusão de um ramo da veia retiniana sem a presença de uma membrana epirretiniana, e Grupo 2 (n=16), composto por indivíduos com edema macular secundário à oclusão de um ramo da veia retiniana com a presença de uma membrana epirretiniana. Os valores da acuidade visual corrigida, espessura macular central e volume macular central foram obtidos antes e após o tratamento. Os resultados clínicos dos grupos foram comparados. Resultados: A média de idade e a proporção entre homens e mulheres foram semelhantes nos dois grupos (p>0,05 para ambos os valores). Os valores iniciais e finais da acuidade visual corrigida, espessura macular central e volume macular central foram semelhantes nos dois grupos (p>0,05 para todos os valores). Todos os parâmetros melhoraram significativamente após o tratamento com implante de dexametasona intravítrea (p<0,001 para todos os parâmetros) e as alterações na espessura macular central e no volume macular central também foram semelhantes (p>0,05 para ambos os valores). O número médio de implantações intravítreas de dexametasona foi 2,1 ± 1,0 (faixa de 1-4) no Grupo 1 e 3,0 ± 1,2 (faixa de 1-5) no Grupo 2 (p=0,043). Conclusão: A formação de uma membrana epirretiniana não tem efeitos sobre os parâmetros clínicos iniciais e finais, incluindo a acuidade visual corrigida, a espessura macular central e o volume macular central. O único parâmetro afetado pela formação de uma membrana epirretiniana é o número de implantações intravítreas de dexametasona, sendo necessário um número maior de implantações em casos de edema macular secundário à oclusão de um ramo da veia retiniana com a presença de uma membrana epirretiniana.

Correlation between postoperative visual acuity and macular morphological structure and blood flow density in patients with idiopathic macular epiretinal membrane / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To observe the postoperative changes in macular morphological structure and blood flow density of patients with idiopathic macular epiretinal membrane(IMEM)by optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA), and explore their correlation with visual acuity.METHOD: Prospective study. A total of 45 cases(45 eyes)with IMEM admitted to our hospital from January 2020 to July 2021 were included. The best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), central macular area thickness(CMT), foveal avascular zone(FAZ)area and changes in blood flow density of superficial capillary plexus(SCP)were observed at 1mo, 1, 3 and 6mo before and after operation.RESULT: The BCVA at 1wk after operation had no significant change compared with preoperative data(P>0.05), while it was improved at other time points(P<0.05). The CMT measured at 1wk after operation was thickened significantly(P<0.05), while it was significantly decreased at 1mo, 3mo and 6mo after operation(P<0.05). The FAZ area measured at 1wk and 1mo after operation had no significant change(P>0.05), while it was significantly enlarged at 3 and 6mo after operation(P<0.05). The SCP measured at 1wk, 1 and 3mo after operation had no significant change(P>0.05), while it was significantly decreased at 6mo after operation(P<0.05). BCVA measured at 3 and 6mo after operation was positively correlated with CMT(r=0.457, 0.615, P=0.032, 0.012).CONCLUSION: The visual acuity of patients with IMEM recovered quickly within 1mo after operation, and then it tended to be stable. However, the recovery of macular foveal morphology and blood flow distribution was slower than that of visual acuity, and there was no obvious correlation with visual acuity.

Effect of foveal herniation on surgical outcomes in patients with idiopathic epiretinal membrane / O Efeito da herniação foveal nos resultados cirúrgicos em pacientes com membrana epirretiniana idiopática

ABSTRACT Purpose: This study aimed to compare the anatomical and visual outcomes of idiopathic epiretinal membrane peeling surgery, with and without foveal herniation. Methods: This retrospective, comparative, two-center study included age- and sex-matched patients exhibiting an idiopathic epiretinal membrane with and without foveal herniation (epiretinal membrane + foveal herniation group and epiretinal-membrane-only group, respectively). The baseline best-corrected visual acuity and central foveal thickness were compared within the groups through months 1, 3, 6, and 12 of follow-up postoperatively. Then, changes in these two parameters at all follow-up points were compared between the groups. Results: We enrolled 16 patients per study group. The baseline best-corrected visual acuity and central foveal thickness were not significantly different between the two groups (p>0.05). Compared with the baseline, both the best-corrected visual acuity and central foveal thickness improved significantly in both groups in all follow-ups (p<0.05), except for the best-corrected visual acuity of the epiretinal-membrane-only group after month 1 (p<0.05). The mean best-corrected visual acuity improvement after month 1 and the mean central foveal thickness reduction after months 1, 3, and 6 were significantly better in the foveal herniation + epiretinal membrane group than in the epiretinal-membrane-only group (p<0.05). However, the best-corrected visual acuity and central foveal thickness changes were not significantly different between the groups at the final visit (p>0.05). Conclusions: Although epiretinal membrane + foveal herniation demonstrated prompt anatomical and functional improvement, foveal herniation occurrence did not affect the final surgical outcomes in patients with idiopathic epiretinal membrane.

RESUMO Objetivo: Comparar os resultados anatômicos e visuais da cirurgia com peeling da membrana epirretiniana idio pática na presença e ausência de herniação foveal. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo, comparativo, de dois centros. Pacientes com membrana epirretiniana idiopática pareados por idade e sexo com herniação foveal (grupo membrana epirretiniana + herniação foveal) e sem herniação foveal (grupo apenas com membrana epirretiniana) foram incluídos. Mudanças na acuidade visual melhor corrigida e espessura foveal central em todos os pontos de acompanhamento foram comparadas entre os grupos. A linha de base da melhor acuidade visual corrigida e a espessura foveal central foram comparadas dentro dos grupos no 1º, 3º, 6º e 12º meses de acompanhamento após a cirurgia Resultados: Dezesseis pacientes com membrana epirretiniana + olhos com herniação foveal e 16 pacientes com olhos apenas com membrana epirretiniana foram incluídos no estudo. Não houve diferença significativa entre os grupos na linha de base com melhor acuidade visual corrigida e espessura foveal central (p>0,05), exceto para a melhor acuidade visual corrigida do grupo da membrana epirretiniana após o 1º mês (p> 0,05), a melhor acuidade visual corrigida e a espessura foveal central melhoraram significativamente em ambos os grupos em todos os acompanhamentos em comparação com a linha de base (p<0,05). A média da melhor acuidade visual corrigida melhorou após o 1º mês e a redução média da espessura foveal central após o 1º, 3º e 6º meses foram significativamente melhores no grupo de herniação foveal + membrana epirretiniana do que no grupo com apenas membrana epirretiniana (p<0,05). Não houve diferença significativa na melhor acuidade visual corrigida e nas alterações da espessura foveal central entre os grupos na visita final (p>0,05). Conclusões: Embora uma melhora anatômica e funcional bem mais precoce tenha sido mostrada no grupo membrana epirretiniana + herniação foveal, a presença de her niação foveal não afetou os resultados cirúrgicos finais em pacientes com membrana epirretiniana idiopática.

Choroidal vascularity index changes with phacovitrectomy for vitreoretinal interface disorders

Purpose: Vitreomacular interface disorders have long been argued to change choroidal structure. The aim of this study was to determine the choroidal vascularity index (CVI) changes following internal limiting membrane peeling for epiretinal membrane (ERM) and full thickness macular hole (FTMH). Methods: Fifty-nine patients with unilateral ERM and 56 with unilateral FTMH were included in the study. Axial length, pre- and post-surgery intraocular pressure, baseline and post-phacovitrectomy CVI were calculated and compared with the normal fellow eyes. To compare the baseline and the final measurements, Wilcoxon test was used. Mann–Whitney U test was used for independent data comparisons. Median and standard deviations were compared. Results: Axial length, pre- and post-surgery intraocular pressure differences were insignificant between study and fellow eyes within all groups. CVI were significantly lower in post-vitrectomy study eyes of all groups compared with pre-surgery (P < 0.001). There were no significant changes before and after the surgeries in fellow eyes. Baseline CVI of ERM study eyes (median 65.90%) and FTHM study eyes (median 65.59%) did not differ significantly between groups (U = 1336, P = 0.07, r = 0.16). Conclusion: There are conflicting results of vitreoretinal interface disorders CVI in the literature. In this study, both FTMH and ERM eyes showed reduced CVI postoperatively compared with the baseline. Preoperatively, there were no difference between study eyes and the fellow eyes.

The development of epiretinal membrane following rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repair: incidence, risk factors, and outcomes / Desenvolvimento da membrana epirretiniana após reparo do descolamento regmatogênico da retina: incidência, fatores de risco e resultados

ABSTRACT Purpose: To investigate the incidence, risk factors, and visual outcomes of epiretinal membrane development following rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repair. Methods: This was a retrospective study of 309 eyes that underwent initial surgery for primary uncomplicated rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Examinations were conducted preoperatively and then postoperatively at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. The study patients were categorized into two groups depending on the presence or absence of the epiretinal membrane. Results: The incidence of postoperative epiretinal membrane was 28.5%; 42.7% of these patients had severe epiretinal membrane development and therefore underwent the epiretinal membrane removal. Logistic regression analyses revealed that giant retinal tears (OR: 2.66; 95% CI: 1.045-6.792, p=0.040) and horseshoe tears (OR: 0.534; 95% CI: 0.295-0.967, p=0.039) were the significant predictors of postoperative epiretinal membrane. Triamcinolone acetonide staining was significantly associated with the prevention of epiretinal membrane (p=0.022). A total of 34 patients showed a better or an equal final best-corrected visual acuity; of which 4 eyes were evaluated at the final follow-up visit and exhibited a reduced best-corrected visual acuity. Conclusion: Our analysis demonstrated that horseshoe tears and giant retinal tears represent the risk factors for the postoperative epiretinal membrane. Triamcinolone acetonide staining had a significant preventive effect on the postoperative epiretinal membrane. Furthermore, a second round of pars plana vitrectomy, including membrane removal, led to a significant improvement in the final best-corrected visual acuity as per the last follow-up examination, albeit the recovery was limited.

RESUMO Objetivos: Investigar a incidência, fatores de risco e desfechos visuais do desenvolvimento da membrana epirretiniana após reparo do descolamento regmatogênico da retina. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo retrospectivo de 309 olhos submetidos à cirurgia inicial para descolamento regmatogênico da retina primário sem complicações. Os exames foram realizados no pré-operatório aos 1, 3, 6 e 12 meses pós-operatórios. Os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos, dependendo da presença ou ausência de membrana epirretiniana. Resultados: A incidência de membrana epirretiniana pós-operatória foi de 28,5%; 42,7% desses pacientes apresentaram desenvolvimento grave da membrana epirretiniana e, portanto, foram submetidos à remoção desta membrana. A regressão logística mostrou que as lágrimas retinianas gigantes (RC: 2,66; 95% IC: 1,045 - 6,792, p=0,040) e lágrimas em ferradura (RC: 0,534; 95% IC: 0,295-0,967, p=0,039), foram preditores significativos de membrana epirretiniana pós-operatória. A coloração com acetonida de triancinolona foi significativamente associada à prevenção da membrana epirretiniana (p=0,022). Trinta e quatro pacientes apresentaram acuidade visual melhorada, ou igual, ou acuidade visual final melhor corrigida; 4 olhos foram avaliados na consulta final de acompanhamento e apresentaram redução da acuidade visual melhor corrigida. Conclusão: Nossa análise demonstra que as lágrimas de ferradura e as lágrimas retinianas gigantes representam fatores de risco para a membrana epirretiniana pós-operatória. A coloração com acetonida de triancinolona teve um efeito preventivo significativo na membrana epirretiniana no pós-operatório. Além disso, uma segunda rodada de vitrectomia pars plana, incluindo remoção da membrana, levou a uma melhora significativa da acuidade visual final melhor corrigida na última consulta de acompanhamento, embora a recuperação tenha sido limitada.

Research progress of TGF-β in the formation of epiretinal membrane / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

Epiretinal membrane(ERM)is a retinal disease characterized by a fibrocell membranes that can develop on the inner surface of the retina. The existing clinical guidelines and literature have reached a consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of ERM, but the explanation of their mechanism is still controversial. Transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β)is a highly pleiotropic cytokine that plays an important role in wound healing, angiogenesis, immune regulation, cancer, inflammation and fibrosis diseases. Studies have increasingly shown that ERM is a kind of pathological changes in fibrosis that caused by the posterior vitreous detachment(PVD)and lead to the retinal inflammatory damage and epithelial to mesenchymal transition(EMT)of retinal pigment epithelial cells. A variety of cytokines regulate TGF-β-mediated EMT process by participating in the non-classical TGF-β-Snail pathway and the classical TGF-β-Smad pathway. At present, some drugs targeting cytokines related to the above pathway have entered the development stage, which is of great significance to provide new ideas for clinical treatment and prevention of ERM. This review reviews the progress of TGF-β related cytokines in ERM formation.

Treatment of myopic foveoschisis via triamcinolone assisted fovea-sparing internal limiting membrane peeling / 中国医师杂志

Objective:The aim of this study was to observe the clinical effects of myopic foveoschisis (MF) via triamcinolone (TA) assisted fovea-sparing internal limiting membrane peeling (FSILMP).Methods:This study was prospective research, including 41 cases (44 eyes) of patients diagnosed with MF in Changsha Aier Eye Hospital from November 2018 to June 2020. All patients underwent combined TA assisted FSILMP and 25 G pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). The posterior vitreous cortex, epiretinal membrane and internal limiting membrane (ILM) in the macular area were labeled by TA particles. The corrected visual acuity, central retinal thickness (CRT), post-operative healing of myopic foveoschisis and the incidence of macular hole were observed. Facilitating statistics, in this study, decimal visual acuity was converted to logMAR visual acuity through the formula logMAR=lg(1/decimal visual acuity).Results:Three cases underwent binocular surgery and 38 cases underwent monocular surgery. The average age of the patients was (56.16±11.00)years old ranging from 30-73 year olds; the average axial length of the patients was (30.50±1.96)mm which was ranging from 26.19-34.52 mm. The corrected visual acuity was 0.1-3(1.65±0.67) and the CRT was 126-1 100(473.47±195.96)mm. The patients were followed up for 1-31(13.89±8.32)months. A total of 38 cases (41 eyes) were followed up and 3 cases were lost. Reduction of MF in 41 eyes: 5 eyes (12.2%) were not healed, 12 eyes (29.3%) were improved, 8 eyes (19.5%) were near healed and 16 eyes (39.0%) were healed. The incidence of macular hole was 4.9% (2 eyes). The postoperative corrected visual acuity was 1.00±0.62, which was significantly higher than the preoperative corrected visual acuity [(1.65±0.67), t=8.23, P<0.01]. The postoperative CRT was (295.88±167.55)μm, which was significantly lower than that before operation (473.47±195.96)μm( t=7.82, P<0.01). Conclusions:TA can better mark the vitreous cortex, epiretinal membrane and inner limiting membrane of high myopia MF, and avoid the retinal toxicity caused by repeated indocyanine green (ICG) staining. At the same time, the effect of TA assisted FSILMP is no less than that of ICG assisted FSILMP in postoperative visual acuity recovery, CRT and the incidence of postoperative macular hole.

Effects of internal limiting membrane peeling on post-vitrectomy epiretinal membrane and visual prognosis of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment / 中华实验眼科杂志

Objective:To analyze the effect of vitrectomy combined with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling on the prevention of post-vitrectomy epiretinal membrane (ERM) in macular-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) and its influence on visual outcomes.Methods:A cohort study was conducted.Seventy-four patients (74 eyes) with macular-off RRD, who realized retinal reattachment after vitrectomy and silicone oil tamponade from January 2015 to January 2018 in Baoding NO.1 Central Hospital, were enrolled.The patients were divided into the non-ILM peeling group (36 cases, 36 eyes) and ILM peeling group (38 cases, 38 eyes) according to whether they received ILM peeling or not.The patients underwent silicone oil removal within 3 to 5 months after the surgery.Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), slit-lamp microscopy, indirect ophthalmoscopy, fundus photography and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were examined before and at 1, 6 and 12 months after the surgery.This study protocol adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by an Ethics Committee of Baoding NO.1 Central Hospital (No.[2019]042). Written informed consent was obtained from each patient.Results:There was no ERM found in the two groups at 1 month after the operation.There were 3 eyes (8.33%) with ERM in the non-ILM peeling group and 2 eyes (5.26%) in the ILM peeling group at 6 months after the operation, with no statistically significant difference between them ( P=0.067). There were 9 eyes (25.00%) with ERM in the non-ILM peeling group and 4 eyes (10.53%) in the ILM peeling group at 12 months postoperatively, with no statistically significant difference between them ( χ2=2.674, P=0.102). There was a significant difference in BCVA between before and after the operation in the two groups ( Ftime=31.692, P<0.001). Postoperative 1-, 6-and 12-month BCVA were all significantly better than the preoperative BCVA in the two groups (all at P<0.05). There was no significant difference in BCVA between the two groups ( Fgroup=0.117, P=0.773). OCT images showed that there were 25 eyes (77.78%) and 30 eyes (78.95%) with the intact ellipsoid zone in the non-ILM peeling group and ILM peeling group at 12 months after the operation, respectively, with no statistically significant difference between them ( χ2=0.875, P=0.350). Conclusions:Compared with vitrectomy alone, the vitrectomy combined with ILM peeling does not show better efficacy in the prevention of ERM occurrence in macula-off RRD patients and has no obvious influence on postoperative visual acuity.

Influence of phacoemulsification on macular morphology in cataract patients with idiopathic macular epiretinal membrane / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#AIM: To analyze the changes of the epiretinal membrane(ERM)stage, macular status and best corrected visual acuity(BCVA, LogMAR)in cataract patients with idiopathic macular epiretinal membrane(IERM)before and after cataract surgery.METHODS:We conducted a single center retrospective observational case series of patients that underwent sequential cataract and idiopatic ERM surgeries from March 2016 to May 2019 in Anyang Eye Hospital. Full data were obtained for 51 patients(54 eyes).Preoperative and postoperative 1mo ERM stage, central macular edema(CME), central macular thickness(CMT), macular volume(MV), ellipsoid zone disruption, occurrence of neurosensory detachment(NSD)and BCVA were analyzed.RESULTS:In this group of patients, 5 eyes(9%)had ERM grade 1, 23 eyes(43%)had ERM grade 2, 21 eyes(39%)had ERM grade 3, and 5 eyes(9%)had ERM grade 4 before surgery; ERM graded 1mo after surgery were keeping steady. Compared with before operation(0.45±0.16),there was no significant change in BCVA(0.47±0.17)at 1mo after operation(<i>P</i>>0.05), but the incidence of CME, ellipsoid band interruption and NSD were significantly higher than those before operation(<i>P</i><0.05). CONCLUSION: We suggest that phacoemulsification did not significantly accelerate ERM progression and affect BCVA, but patients underwent cataract surgery in the presence of epiretinal membranes need tight follow up to treat and control eventual macular infammatory changes and eventual prompt vitrectomy if BCVA was threatened.

Clinical observation of microcystic macular edema before and after surgery for idiopathic epiretinal membrane / 中华眼底病杂志

Objective:To observe the incidence and risk factors of microcystic macular edema (MME) in patients with idiopathic macular epiretinal membrane (IMEM) preoperatively and postoperatively.Methods:A retrospective case series study. From January 2017 to May 2021, 72 eyes of 72 patients with IMEM in Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University at Hangzhou were included. There were 18 male and 54 female. Average age was 64.8±7.8 years. Eyes were all monocular. All patients received the examination of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) by standard logarithmic visual acuity chart, which was represented logarithmic of minimum angle of resolution (logMAR). Optical coherence tomography was used to measure central macular thickness (CMT). MME was defined as small, vertically bounded cystic space located outside the fovea in the inner layer of the retina. According to the presence or absence of MME before surgery, the affected eyes were divided into two groups: non-MME group (35 eyes) and MME group (37 eyes). The difference of logMAR BCVA and CMT was statistically significant between Group A and B ( t=3.117, 2.589; P=0.003, 0.012). All patients with IMEM were treated with 23G three-channels pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with epiretinal membrane and inner limiting membrane (ILM) peeling. The two groups were further divided into four groups according to whether there was MME in the postoperative follow-up time. The group A1 was without MME before and after surgery, group A2 was without MME before surgery and with MME after surgery. The MME group was subdivided into the group with MME before surgery and without MME after surgery (group B1) and the group with MME before and after surgery (group B2). The mean follow-up time was 8.8±7.7 months. The same equipment and methods were used to exam the patients during the follow-up. Paired t test was used to compare the changes of MME, BCVA and CMT before and after surgery. The differences of CMT and BCVA among groups before and after surgery were compared by independent sample t test and one-way ANOVA. Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of MME before and after surgery, and multiple linear regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of postoperative BCVA. Results:There were 35 eyes in the non-MME group, 18 eyes (51.43%, 18/35) in the A1 group and 17 eyes (48.57%, 17/35) in the A2 group, respectively. There were 37 eyes in MME group, 6 eyes (16.22%, 6/37) in group B1 and 31 eyes (83.78%, 31/37) in group B2, respectively. At last follow-up, the logMAR BCVA was 0.10±0.12, 0.25±0.17, 0.09±0.11, 0.30±0.26 in group A1, A2, B1, and B2, respectively. Compared with the logMAR BCVA before surgery, the differences were statistically significant ( t=3.779, 4.253, 7.869, 6.668; P<0.01). There was significant difference in logMAR BCVA among the four groups ( F=4.460, P<0.01). There was a significant difference in logMAR BCVA between group A1 and group A2 ( t=-2.930, P=0.006). There was no significant difference between group B1 and group B2 ( t=-1.921, P=0.063). The CMT of group A1, A2, B1 and B2 were 371.83±73.24, 431.24±83.13, 407.00±28.07 and 425.19±70.97 μm, respectively. Compared with those before operation, the differences were statistically significant ( t=5.197, 2.465, 3.055, 6.078; P<0.05). There was no significant difference in CMT among the four groups ( F=2.597, P=0.059). Logistic regression analysis showed that pre-operation MME was correlated with pre-operation IMEM stage ( β=1.494, P=0.004). New MME after surgery was correlated with age ( β=0.153, P=0.013). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that postoperative visual acuity was significantly correlated with CMT before surgery and MME after surgery ( β=0.001, 0.134; P=0.015, 0.019). Conclusions:PPV combined with epiretinal membrane and ILM peeling surgery for IMEM can improve visual acuity and decrease CMT. MME regress or regenerate after surgery. Age is an independent predictor of the risk of newly formed MME after surgery.

Advances in the treatment of idiopathic macular epiretinal membrane / 中华实验眼科杂志

Idiopathic epiretinal membrane (iERM) is one of common fibroblast proliferative diseases in vitreoretinal interface and is significantly associated with aging.The treatment and management methods of iERM are limited, primarily including clinical following-up and vitrectomy.The time point of irreversible functional and structural damage of retina in macula is difficult to identify.Therefore, we can not predict whether surgery is safe when the symptoms of early iERM are mild, or whether surgical treatment should be postponed until metamorphopsia and vision loss occur.The formation of iERM is a process of retinal surface fibrosis, and fibrosis is a very common process in human body.Many studies on fibrosis have got a growing concern, which is helpful for us to find new treatment approch and also provides more clues of the causes of iERM.The research progress in the treatment of iERM was reviewed.

Comparison of macular microcirculation in eyes with idiopathic and diabetic macular epiretinal membrane before and after surgery / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#AIM:To compare the changes of macular microcirculation in eyes with idiopathic and diabetic macular epiretinal membrane(ERM)before and after pars plana vitrectomy(PPV), and to evaluate the prognosis of the two types of ERM.<p>METHODS:We conducted a retrospective study on 24 patients(24 eyes), 12 patients(12 eyes)with idiopathic macular epiretinal membrane(iERM)and 12 patients(12 eyes)with diabetic macular epiretinal membrane(dERM)who underwent PPV combined with ERM and internal limiting membrane(ILM)peeling from April 2020 to July 2020. In addition, 16 contralateral healthy eyes of iERM patients who underwent PPV combined with ERM and ILM removal from September 2019 to July 2020 were selected as the normal control group. All patients were followed up for more than 3mo. The area of foveal avascular zone(FAZ)and the macular vascular density(MVD), including superficial macular vascular density(SVD)and deep macular vascular density(DVD)were compared before and after surgery. And the prognosis was also analysed.<p>RESULTS: The area of FAZ in the iERM group and dERM group before surgery were significantly smaller than that in the control group(<i>P</i><0.05); The total SVD in the iERM and dERM groups were lower than that in the control group, and the dERM group was lower than that in the iERM group, but no statistically significant difference was found. The total DVD in the iERM and dERM groups was significantly lower than that in the control group(<i>P</i><0.05). The foveal SVD in the iERM was significantly higher than that in the dERM and control groups, and the foveal DVD in the iERM was significantly higher than that in the control group(<i>P</i><0.05). The parafoveal SVD in the iERM and dERM groups were lower than that in the control group, but only the difference was obvious between the dERM and the control group(<i>P</i><0.05). The parafoveal DVD in the iERM and dERM groups were significantly lower than that in the control group(<i>P</i><0.05). Postoperative visual acuity was significantly improved in the iERM group and dERM group(<i>P</i><0.05), but the SVD was barely changed. The total and parafoveal DVD in the iERM group were statistically higher than those before surgery(<i>P</i><0.05). DVD in the dERM group was higher than it was before surgery, but with no statistically difference. There were no differences in the visual acuity, SVD and DVD between the iERM and dERM groups after operation.<p>CONCLUSION: The changes of macular microcirculation in dERM were more obvious than those in iERM. DVD in the iERM patients was improved at the early stage after operation, while the improvement was not obvious in the dERM patients.

Influencing factors of visual function in patients with idiopathic macular epiretinal membrane after internal limiting membrane peeling / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#AIM: To explore the risk factors that affect visual function recovery in patients with idiopathic macular epiretinal membrane(IMEM)undergoing internal limiting membrane peeling(ILMP).<p>METHODS: This study retrospectively reviewed 118 patients(118 eyes)with IMEM who underwent ILMP in the hospital between January 2016 and April 2020. The patients were followed up for 6mo after surgery to evaluate curative effect. Changes in visual acuity before surgery and at 1, 3 and 6mo after surgery, metamorphopsia degree, mean central foveal thickness and volume of macular area were observed. The correlation of mean central foveal thickness and volume of macular area before and after surgery with postoperative visual acuity and metamorphopsia scores was analyzed. The risk factors for poor visual function recovery after surgery were evaluated.<p>RESULTS: In this study, 96 eyes obtained good visual function recovery, and the improvement rate was 81.4%. At 1, 3 and 6mo after surgery, visual acuity was significantly improved(<i>P</i><0.05), metamorphopsia score in horizontal direction, mean central foveal thickness and volume of macular area were significantly reduced(<i>P</i><0.05). The mean central foveal thickness and volume of macular area before surgery and at 6mo after surgery were negatively correlated with visual acuity at 6mo after surgery(<i>P</i><0.05), but positively correlated with metamorphopsia score in horizontal direction(<i>P</i><0.05). The course of IMEM, preoperative corrected visual acuity, preoperative horizontal or vertical metamorphopsia, and preoperative macular edema were influencing factors of visual function recovery after surgery(all <i>P</i><0.05). Poor preoperative corrected visual acuity(<i>OR</i>=3.062), horizontal metamorphopsia(<i>OR</i>=2.438)and preoperative macular edema(<i>OR</i>=2.000)were risk factors for poor visual function recovery.<p>CONCLUSION: The curative of ILMP is effect on IMEM, which can effectively improve visual acuity of operative eyes and reduce metamorphopsia. The longer the course of disease, the worse the preoperative corrected visual acuity, and the more severe the preoperative metamorphopsia, the worse the visual function recovery in patients with preoperative macular edema after ILMP.

Evaluate the effect of idiopathic macular epiretinal membrane on visual functional prognosis of cataract patients based on the new classification method for macular epiretinal membrane by SD-OCT / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#AIM: To evaluate the disruption degree of macular fovea structure by pre-operation SD-OCT examination and establish a new method of IMEM. Thus, to analysis the value of this method for predicting the visual functional prognosis of cataract patients complicated with idiopathic macular epiretinal membrane(IMEM)after cataract surgery alone.<p>METHODS: Totally 64 patients(80 eyes)diagnosed as cataract with IMEM, who simply underwent phaco cataract extraction combined with intraocular lens implantation were included in this study. These patients were admitted in Shenzhen Eye Hospital from October 2017 to November 2018. IMEM was divided into 4 stages based on the damage degree of macular fovea structure by pre-operative SD-OCT examination. The best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), mean retinal sensitivities(MS), central macular thickness(CMT)and the progression rate of IMEM in all the patients were compared and analyzed before and 3mo after the cataract operation.<p>RESULTS: With the IMEM grade rised, the epiretinal membranes became more obvious, the disruption of retinal layers and loss of the foveal depression became more serious on the SD-OCT image. The LogMAR BCVA of pre-operation and 3mo after cataract surgery progressively rised with the increasing of IMEM grade, and the differences were statistically significant(<i>F</i>=37.72, 26.43, <i>P</i><0.001). Otherwise, The MS of pre-operation and 3mo after cataract surgery progressively declined with the increasing of IMEM grade, and the differences were statistically significant(<i>F</i>=43.77, 28.96, <i>P</i><0.001). The change of CMT was not consistent with the progression rate of IMEM in 3mo after operation. There was no significant difference in CMT(<i>P</i>>0.05), but the progression rate of IMEM was increased significantly with the IMEM grading(χ²_Trend=12.59, <i>P</i><0.001).<p>CONCLUSION: The new classification method was created for IMEM by SD-OCT will help to predict the visual functional prognosis for cataract patients complicated with IMEM after cataract surgery.

Prediction of postoperative visual acuity in cataract patients with idiopathic macular epiretinal membrane by hand-held retinal optometer and optical coherence tomography / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the value of hand-held retinal optometer and optical coherence tomography (OCT) in predicting postoperative visual acuity in patients with age-related cataract and idiopathic macular epiretinal membrane.@*METHODS@#We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients undergoing phacoemulsification combined with intraocular lens implantation for age-related cataract in our hospital from January, 2019 to April, 2020.Preoperative examination detected idiopathic macular epiretinal membrane in 45 of the patients (52 eyes) with lens opacity grade C2N2P1 according to LOCSⅡ lens opacity classification criteria.Based on the thickness of the macular fovea, the eyes were divided into group A (9 eyes) with macular thickness 400 μm.The best corrected visual acuity and retinal visual acuity before operation and the best corrected visual acuity on the first day and at 3 months after the surgery were compared among the 3 groups.The consistency between the preoperative retinal vision and the best corrected vision at 3 months after the surgery was analyzed.@*RESULTS@#The best corrected visual acuity at one day and 3 months after the surgery differed significantly from that before the surgery in all the 3 groups (@*CONCLUSIONS@#For patients with cataract and idiopathic macular epiretinal membrane, phacoemulsification combined with intraocular lens implantation can improve postoperative vision.Hand-held retinal optometer can accurately assess postoperative vision in patients with stage C2N2P1 cataract.Patients with a macular thickness >400 μm caused by idiopathic macular epiretinal membrane are likely to have poor postoperative visual outcomes.

Effects of vitrectomy and macular epiretinal membrane dissection combined with or without internal limiting membrane peeling on choroid thickness, vision and metamorphopsia in patients with idiopathic macular epiretinal membrane / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#AIM: To analyze the effects of vitrectomy and macular epiretinal membrane dissection combined with or without internal limiting membrane(ILM)peeling on choroid thickness, vision and metamorphopsia in patients with idiopathic macular epiretinal membrane(IMEM).<p>METHODS: Totally 88 patients(88 eyes)with IMEM admitted to the hospital were selected between January 2016 and January 2020. They were divided into group A and group B by random number table method with 44 eyes in each group. Patients in group A were treated with vitrectomy and macular epiretinal membrane dissection combined with ILM peeling, while patients in group B were treated with vitrectomy and macular epiretinal membrane dissection. The choroid thickness, vision, metamorphopsia, central macular thickness(CMT), ellipsoid zone(EZ)continuity were compared between the two groups.<p>RESULTS: Compared with preoperative, the sub-foveal choroidal thickness(SFCT), choroidal thickness 1 000μm from nasal side central of fovea(NFCT)and choroidal thickness 1 000μm from temporal side central of fovea(TFCT)were significantly reduced in the two groups at 3mo and 6mo after operation(<i>P</i><0.05), but there was no statistically significant difference between the groups(<i>P</i>>0.5). Compared with preoperative, the best corrected visual acuity(BCVA)LogMAR was reduced, while mean sensitivity(MS)was increased in the two groups. The number of scotoma points(SP)increased in group A and decreased in group B. Group A had significantly lower MS and higher SP than group B at 1mo, 3mo, and 6mo after operation(<i>P</i><0.05). Compared with preoperative, the M scores(Angle of view when horizontal and vertical variability begins to disappear)and average M scores of the two groups were significantly reduced at 3mo and 6mo after operation, without statistically significant differences between the groups(<i>P</i>>0.05). Compared with preoperative, CMT was significantly reduced in the two groups at 1, 3 and 6mo after operation. The ratio of EZ continuity in group A at 1mo after operation was significantly lower than that before operation. The CMT of group A was larger than that of group B at 3mo and 6mo after operation(<i>P</i><0.05). No statistically significant differences were found in the ratio of EZ continuity and the incidence of complications between the groups(<i>P</i>>0.05).<p>CONCLUSION: Vitrectomy and macular epiretinal membrane dissection combined with or without ILM peeling both can improve vision and metamorphopsia in patients with IMEM, with similar effects on choroid thickness and safety. However, combined use of ILM peeling will lower MS and increase SP as well as CMT. Therefore, it has no significant advantages in the treatment of patients with IMEM.

Clinical Outcomes of Idiopathic Epiretinal Membrane Removal in Patients 80 Years or Older

PURPOSE: To evaluate clinical outcomes of idiopathic epiretinal membrane removal in patients ≥ 80 years of age.METHODS: A retrospective review of medical records was performed with 56 patients who underwent vitrectomy and removal of idiopathic epiretinal membrane. In the ≥ 80 years of age group (n = 28), the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness (CMT) before surgery were compared with those at the final follow-up. The amount of change in the BCVA after surgery was also compared between the ≥ 80 years of age group and the < 80 years of age group (n = 28).RESULTS: In the ≥ 80 years of age group, the mean follow-up period was 19.1 ± 17.0 months. Before surgery, 11 eyes were pseudophakic and 17 eyes were phakic. Combined cataract surgery was performed with epiretinal membrane removal in all 17 phakic eyes. The mean logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution BCVA was 0.75 ± 0.30 before surgery, which improved to 0.50 ± 0.30 at the final follow-up (p < 0.001). The CMT was 458.0 ± 79.7 µm before surgery, which decreased to 367.2 ± 83.4 µm at the final follow-up (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the amount of change in the BCVA after the surgery between the ≥ 80 years of age group and the < 80 years of age group (p = 0.547).CONCLUSIONS: In patients with idiopathic epiretinal membrane who were ≥ 80 years of age, the visual acuity was improved or maintained, and was accompanied with anatomical improvement after epiretinal membrane removal with or without cataract surgery. These results suggest the usefulness of epiretinal membrane removal in older patients.