Journal of Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology
Open Access

Abstract

Short-Term Surgical Outcomes of 25-Gauge Vitrectomy for Epiretinal Membrane with Good Visual Acuity

Hiroyuki Nakashizuka, Hiroyuki Shimada, Takayuki Hattori, Ryusaburo Mori, Kyoko Fujita and Mitsuko Yuzawa

Background: Reportedly, 25-gauge (G) vitrectomy offers the advantage of faster visual improvement in cases with epiretinal membrane (ERM). However, metamorphopsia does not completely resolve in most cases even after ERM removal. Early removal of ERM is considered to have the advantages of better recovery of visual acuity (VA) and resolution of metamorphopsia.
Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ERM removal in patients with good visual acuity.
Subjects and methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of patients who underwent 25-G vitrectomy for ERM and whose preoperative VA was better than 0.046 logMAR (0.9 in decimal units). Eighteen eyes of 18 patients (age 62.11 ± 10.9 years, mean ± standard deviation) observed for at least 3 months after surgery were included in this study. Mean logMAR VA and vertical and horizontal metamorphopsia scores before and 3 months after vitrectomy were measured. The metamorphopsia scores were calculated using M-CHARTS.
Results: Postoperatively, a significant improvement in mean logMAR VA was observed (P=0.001). The horizontal metamorphopsia score decreased significantly (P=0.04). No surgical complications occurred.
Conclusions: 25-G Pars plana vitrectomy for ERM in patients with good visual acuity is safe and effectively improves metamorphopsia and mean logMAR VA.