KEYWORDS epiretinal membrane, good visual acuity, metamorphopsia, aniseikonia, vitrectomy 2 Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of epiretinal membrane removal in patients with good bestcorrected visual acuity (BCVA) for improving visual function and quality of life (QOL). Methods: This prospective case study compared 37 subjects with preoperative BCVA≦logMAR0.046 (Good group) to 35 patients with logMAR BCVA 0.52-0.10 (Moderate group) at 3 and 6 months. Linear mixed-effect models were used for statistical analysis. The primary outcome was the horizontal metamorphopsia score (MH) at 6 months postoperatively (post-6 M), while secondary outcomes were postoperative BCVA, vertical metamorphopsia score (MV), aniseikonia, stereopsis and central foveal thickness. In the Good group, QOL was assessed using the National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire-25 (NEI VFQ-25) at 6 and 12 months. Results: MH was significantly improved at post-3 M and post-6 M in the both groups but there were no significant differences between the two groups. MV showed no improvement at the final observation in either group. LogMAR BCVA was significantly improved at post-6 M in the Good group, which had significantly better vision than the Moderate group. Preoperative vertical and horizontal aniseikonia scores remained unchanged in the Good group at post-6 M but worsened in the Moderate group. The NEI VFQ-25 score improved in the Good group, reflecting improved general health, general vision, and mental health. Conclusions: Early epiretinal surgery was effective for MH, BCVA, aniseikonia, and QOL.
BackgroundEpiretinal membrane is a translucent tissue that develops on the retinal surface and is reportedly present in 7%-11.8% individuals age 40 years and older [1,2]. Epidemiological studies conducted on the Japanese population have found that 4.0%-5.4% of individuals have epiretinal membranes, indicating that aging is a risk factor [3,4]. A recent study utilizing optical coherence tomography showed an epiretinal membrane to be present in 8.6% of post-cataract surgery patients with a mean age of 74.9 years [5]. Thus, patients with epiretinal membrane will increase as the population ages.Although the epiretinal membrane itself does not cause blindness, symptoms of metamorphopsia and aniseikonia will develop. Furthermore, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) will decrease with the progression of these clinical conditions. It has been reported that preoperative BCVA is associated