Evaluation of Papillomacular Nerve Fiber Bundle Thickness Change after Vitrectomy Surgery for Idiopathic Epiretinal Membrane

Abstract

Purpose: To observe changes in the papillomacular nerve fiber bundle (PMB) after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) in patients with idiopathic epiretinal membrane (iERM) and to compare the surgical outcomes of PPV with and without air tamponade. Methods: From 2015 to 2017, medical records were retrospectively analyzed for patients who had received at least one year of follow-up after vitrectomy with iERM. Results: A total of 89 patients with 89 eyes were included in the study. In both groups (group with and without air tamponade) the mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) after surgery improved significantly from 3 months to 1 year after surgery compared with preoperatively. The thickness of the PMB tended to increase gradually a month post-surgery; however, it showed a decline 3-months and 1-year post-operatively. The PMB thickness significantly increased until 6 months after surgery compared with the thickness of the opposite eye, but gradually decreased, and there was no significant difference at 1 year after surgery. There was no significant correlation between the thickness of the PMB and BCVA at 1 year postoperative. No difference between BCVA and PMB thickness was noted between the two groups at any point before or after the surgery. Conclusions: After vitrectomy in patients with iERM, PMB thickness increased temporarily and subsequently decreased, showing a significant difference at 3-months and 1-year post-surgery. However, PMB thickness did not show a significant difference compared with that of the opposite eye. BCVA improved significantly compared to its preoperative status, but there was no significant correlation between PMB thickness and BCVA 1-year postoperatively. Air tamponade did not significantly affect changes in visual acuity and PMB thickness during the 1 year postoperatively.