The Effect of Internal Limiting Membrane Peeling on Retinal Vein Occlusion Induced Macular Edema

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of pars plana vitrectomy with indocyanine green-assisted peeling of the internal limiting membrane (ILM) on visual acuity in macular edema in RVO patients. METHODS: Twenty-three eyes of 23 patients were treated consecutively (male: female=7:16). Thirteen patients were BRVO, and ten patients were CRVO. Vitrectomy that involved peeling the ILM with the assistance of indocyanine dye was performed in all 23 eyes. A visual acuity change of 2 lines or more was regarded as significant. We compared preoperative BCVA and postoperative BCVA. RESULTS: Improvement of visual acuity was observed in 13 eyes (8 eyes in BRVO, 5 eyes in CRVO) of 23 total eyes (56.5%). No change in visual acuity was observed in 5 eyes (3 eyes in BRVO, 2 eyes in CRVO). Worsening of visual acuity was observed in 5 eyes (2 eyes in BRVO, 3 eyes in CRVO). CONCLUSIONS: Pars plana vitrectomy with ILM peeling in patients with macular edema induced by RVO showed visual improvement in 56.5% of the cases in our study (61.5% in BRVO, 50% in CRVO). PPV with ILM peeling may be an effective procedure in reducing macular edema due to RVO.