Microincision vitrectomy surgery of an idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM) is useful for improving vision. However, some cases show poor visual recovery even after complete removal of the ERM.
Although several prognostic factors are suggested influencing the postoperative visual acuity, we report that the presence of an intact inner segment/outer segment junction (IS/OS junction) on the preoperative spectral-domain OCT (SD-OCT) images is an important predictor of better visual recovery and better postoperative best-corrected visual acuity after ERM surgery.
We also evaluated the anatomic features of the IS/OS junction both before and after surgery by SD-OCT. The postoperative disruption of the IS/OS junction observed in eyes with preoperative intact IS/OS junction was reversible at 12 months after surgery. On the other hand, none of the eyes with preoperative disrupted IS/OS junction showed any structural recovery of the IS/OS junction over a 1-year follow-up period. Furthermore, visual acuity and visual recovery in eyes with an intact IS/OS junction, as assessed before surgery, were better than in the eyes with a disrupted or irregular IS/OS junction. By evaluating the macular microstructure, SD-OCT enabled the prediction of visual acuity outcome after ERM surgery.
Nippon Ganka Gakkai Zasshi (J Jpn Ophthalmol Soc) 116: 1029-1036, 2012.