[Long-term prognosis of internal limiting membrane peeling for idiopathic epiretinal membrane].

Abstract

PURPOSE: To report the long-term prognosis of internal limiting membrane peeling for idiopathic epiretinal membrane. METHODS: Thirty-six patients eyes(37 eyes) who underwent internal limiting membrane peeling without indocyanine green staining to treat idiopathic epiretinal membranes between February 1998 and April 2000 were followed for at least 2 years postoperatively in the Ophthalmology Department of Osaka Rosai Hospital. We checked visual acuity (VA) preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months postoperatively and evaluated the progress of visual improvement. RESULTS: VA improved significantly during the first year postoperatively and stabilized thereafter. The percentages of eyes that showed a VA improvement of greater than 2 lines were 49, 57, 65%, and 73% at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively, respectively. About 70% of the patients achieved VA exceeding 1.0 at 2 years postoperatively. Patients older than 70 years and those with a long duration of illness were slower to improve. Epiretinal membranes recurred in 3% of the patients. CONCLUSION: VA after internal limiting membrane peeling for idiopathic epiretinal membrane improved significantly during the first year postoperatively and the VA continued to improve thereafter. The recurrence rate was 3% internal limiting membrane peeling is the preferred treatment for idiopathic epiretinal membrane.