Functional and Anatomical Outcomes of Pars Plana Vitrectomy for Epiretinal Membrane in Patients with Uveitis

Purpose-To evaluate the anatomical and functional outcomes of vitrectomy and epiretinal membrane (ERM) peeling in patients with uveitis. Secondarily, we evaluated the effect of internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling on surgical outcomes, and of surgery on uveitis activity and, thus, therapeutic regime. Methods-Bicentre, retrospective, interventional case series of 29 eyes of 29 consecutive patients affected by uveitis and ERM, that had undergone pars plana vitrectomy with ERM peel between 2012 and 2020, with a minimum postoperative follow-up (FU) of six-months. Demographic data, best-corrected visual-acuity (BCVA), clinical findings, intraoperative and postoperative complications, and macular optical-coherence-tomography scans were reviewed. Results-The mean (standard deviation) duration of follow-up was 32 (22) months. At six-month FU, mean central-retinal-thickness (CRT) significantly improved (from 456 (99) to 353 (86) microns; p < 0.001), and mean BCVA improved from 0.73 (0.3) to 0.49 (0.36) logMAR (p < 0.001), with only one (3%) patient experiencing worsening of vision. The rate of concomitant cystoid macular edema decreased from 19 (66%) eyes at presentation to eight (28%) eyes at final-FU (p = 0.003). Comparing eyes in which ILM peeling was performed in addition to ERM peeling only, BCVA or CRT reduction were comparable. Only a minority of six (21%) eyes had a worsening in uveitis activity requiring additional medications, whereas most patients resumed the same treatment (52%) or received less treatment (28%) (p = 0.673). Conclusions-Vitrectomy with ERM peeling led to favourable anatomical and functional outcomes in patients with uveitis regardless of whether the ILM is peeled or not. As in most patients, no activation of the uveitis requiring additional medications was noted, we do not recommend changes in anti-inflammatory/immunosuppressive therapy postoperatively.

Automated summary

Vitrectomy with epiretinal membrane (ERM) peeling can achieve favorable anatomical and functional outcomes in patients with uveitis, regardless of whether the internal limiting membrane (ILM) is peeled or not. Most patients do not experience activation of uveitis after surgery, suggesting no need for changes in anti-inflammatory/immunosuppressive therapy postoperatively.