Retinal layers thickness changes following epiretinal membrane surgery

Abstract

PurposeTo evaluate the time course of changes in the thickness of retinal layers after epiretinal membrane (ERM) removal surgery.MethodsA retrospective cohort study of patients following surgery for idiopathic ERM. We used new specialized image analysis software to create a thickness map of each retinal layer and analyzed changes during one year follow-up. Healthy fellow eyes were used as negative controls and the retina prior to surgery as positive control.ResultsTwenty-one patients were included with a mean age of 68±13 years. Central macular thickness decreased steadily until 6 months after surgery (25% decrease, 516±76 to 386±73 μm, P<0.001) with no further decrease between 6 and 12 months (386±73 to 390±73 μm, P=0.291). The retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), and the ganglion cell and inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) were most affected (57%, P<0.001 and 27%, P=0.010, respectively). The thickest region showed a more abrupt decrease of 21% at first follow-up (504±61 to 399±58 μm, P=0.001) with subsequent decrements of about 3%. Prior to surgery all retinal layers were thicker in study eyes compared with healthy control eyes (6-63%, all P<0.05).ConclusionsFollowing ERM surgery, in the course of 6 months, the macula gradually becomes thinner after which a stable state is reached. All layers appear to be affected, with the RNFL and GCIPL impacted the most. Our results provide a unique view on how the thickness of different retinal layers changes following ERM surgery.

Tomographic Structural Changes of the Inner Retina after Internal Limiting Membrane Peeling for Idiopathic Epiretinal Membrane

“…Intraretinal changes can occur in the ERM due to retinal traction and underlying anatomical disturbances. The inner retina, especially the RNFL, GCL and IPL, were affected most highly by an ERM in a previous study [24]. In our results, reductions of RNFL, GCL, IPL, and OPL thicknesses were observed in both the nasal and temporal subfields after surgery, which could be attributed to resolution of traction after ERM removal.…”

Focal Thickness Reduction of the Ganglion Cell-Inner Plexiform Layer Best Discriminates Prior Optic Neuritis in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

“…However, the Orion Software used in the present study has been adapted in commercial OCT devices such as Zeiss Cirrus HD-OCT (with special data exportation), 44,45 Topcon 3D-1000 (Topcon Medical Systems, Inc., Oakland, NJ, USA), 46 and Spectralis SD OCT (Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany). 47 Our study can be repeated using these commercial OCT devices and the Orion software. [44][45][46][47] In addition, the visualized thickness reduction patterns may provide a reference for the clinical interpretation of OCT images using clinically available OCT devices.…”

“…47 Our study can be repeated using these commercial OCT devices and the Orion software. [44][45][46][47] In addition, the visualized thickness reduction patterns may provide a reference for the clinical interpretation of OCT images using clinically available OCT devices. Third, the segmentation of intraretinal layers of each B-scan of the volumetric data set was not verified by the investigators, which constitutes a limitation.…”

Visual Function and Disability Are Associated With Focal Thickness Reduction of the Ganglion Cell-Inner Plexiform Layer in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

“…Orion software is a commercially available OCT analysis program for research use only and can be used with the datasets acquired using commercial OCT devices such as Zeiss Cirrus HD-OCT (with special data exportation)23 and Spectralis OCT 25. This software had been successfully applied in previous publications by us14,16,24 and others 23,25. The segmented intraretinal layers were RNFL, GCIPL, inner nuclear layer (INL), outer nuclear layer (ONL), outer plexiform layer (OPL), and retinal photoreceptor (PR), in addition to the total retinal thickness (TRT).…”