FIVE-YEAR FUNCTIONAL OUTCOMES AFTER EPIRETINAL MEMBRANE SURGERY A Prospective, Controlled Study

Purpose: To evaluate 5-year functional outcomes involving the inner retina after epiretinal membrane (ERM) surgery. Methods: The study eye (SE) and fellow eye (FE) of 20 patients undergoing ERM surgery were examined preoperatively and at 3, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months postoperatively. Retinal nerve fiber layer and ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GC-IPL) thicknesses were analyzed using spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Humphrey visual field mean deviation, pattern SD, and qualitative changes were assessed and compared over time. Results: Mean GC-IPL thickness in SEs was less than that of FEs at all time points with progressive thinning in SEs after ERM surgery. There was significant thinning of the superotemporal GC-IPL in SEs as compared to FEs at 3 months and 60 months (P < 0.05). Humphrey visual field mean deviation was greater in SEs as compared to FEs but statistically significant only at 0, 12, and 24 months (P < 0.05). Pattern SD increased from baseline in SEs but remained near baseline in FEs. Conclusion: Surgical eyes after ERM surgery demonstrated progressive thinning of the GC-IPL and transient worsening trends in Humphrey visual field mean deviation and pattern SD as compared to controls after ERM surgery.