Visual Field Changes after Internal Limiting Membrane Peeling in Glaucoma Patients with Epiretinal Membrane

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To report visual field changes after internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling for macular epiretinal membrane (ERM) according to the severity of glaucoma. METHODS: A retrospective review of 37 eyes from 37 patients who underwent ILM peeling to treat ERM. Standard automated perimetry (Humphrey visual field 24-2 program) was performed preoperatively and postoperatively. Based on the Advanced Glaucoma Intervention Study (AGIS) scoring system of preoperative visual field, patients were classified into the early glaucoma (AGIS ≤ 1) group or the advanced glaucoma (AGIS ≥ 2) group. Postoperative visual field sensitivity at each point was compared with the preoperative value. RESULTS: Out of 37 eyes, 15 eyes had early glaucoma and 22 had advanced glaucoma. Eyes from both groups had poor postoperative visual field parameters. For eyes with advanced glaucoma, the visual field index was significantly reduced and the visual field damage was larger and wider compared to those with early glaucoma. In both groups, visual field impairment was greater on the nasal side than on the temporal side, and visual acuity was not significantly different. Postoperatively, the macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer thickness was decreased, especially on the temporal side of advanced glaucoma. CONCLUSIONS: Visual field impairment was greater and wider in eyes with advanced glaucoma than in those with early glaucoma after ILM peeling in patients with ERM.