MICROCYSTIC MACULAR EDEMA AND CYSTOID MACULAR EDEMA BEFORE AND AFTER EPIRETINAL MEMBRANE SURGERY

Purpose: To investigate the types of intraretinal cysts that are associated with epiretinal membranes and to evaluate the effects of each type of intraretinal cyst on postoperative outcomes. Methods: Retrospective, cross-sectional study design. Patients who underwent preoperative fluorescent angiography and epiretinal membrane surgery from February 2014 to May 2019 were included. Intraretinal cysts were subdivided into cystoid macular edema with angiographic leakage and microcystic macular edema (MME) without angiographic leakage. Results: A total of 100 eyes from 100 patients were enrolled. Intraretinal cysts were present in 54 (54.0%) eyes before surgery, of which 27 (27.0%) eyes showed MME, 18 (18.0%) eyes showed cystoid macular edema, and 9 (9.0%) eyes showed cystoid macular edema and MME. After surgery, the number of eyes with cystoid macular edema decreased significantly (P < 0.001), whereas the number of eyes with MME did not (P = 0.302). Absence of preoperative MME, poorer initial visual acuity, increased central foveal thickness, and intact ellipsoidal zone were associated with favorable visual recovery (P = 0.035, 0.033, 0.018, and 0.035, respectively). Conclusion: Microcystic macular edema associated with epiretinal membranes was a poor prognostic factor for epiretinal membrane surgery. The persistent existence of MME after surgery affirms related chronic structural changes. Further studies should investigate whether earlier surgical intervention (possibly before the development of MME) benefits visual outcomes.

Automated summary

This study investigated the types of intraretinal cysts associated with epiretinal membranes and their effects on postoperative outcomes. It found that microcystic macular edema (MME) was a poor prognostic factor for epiretinal membrane surgery. Factors such as absence of preoperative MME, poorer initial visual acuity, increased central foveal thickness, and intact ellipsoidal zone were associated with favorable visual recovery. Further research should explore whether early surgical intervention before the development of MME benefits visual outcomes.