Comparison of Structural Changes after Epiretinal Membrane Peeling between Nonglaucomatous Eyes and Eyes with Open-Angle Glaucoma.

PURPOSE

To compare the structural changes in the peripapillary and macular regions following pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with epiretinal membrane (ERM) peeling between nonglaucomatous eyes and eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).

DESIGN

A retrospective, longitudinal, observational study.

PARTICIPANTS

Sixty-eight eyes (34 POAG and 34 nonglaucomatous eyes) that underwent PPV with ERM peeling surgery.

METHODS

This retrospective study analyzed 68 eyes (34 POAG and 34 nonglaucomatous eyes) that underwent PPV with ERM peeling surgery. The circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, central macular thickness (CMT), and interdigitation zone (IZ) defects were assessed using spectral-domain OCT before and 6 months after surgery and compared between nonglaucomatous and POAG eyes.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Comparison of structural changes between POAG eyes and nonglaucomatous eyes after PPV with ERM peeling surgery.

RESULTS

Both nonglaucomatous and POAG eyes showed significant reductions in CMT and temporal RNFL thicknesses postoperatively, but significant increases were observed in nasal RNFL thicknesses. However, the changes were less prominent in POAG eyes, with significantly smaller decreases in CMT (P = 0.044) and temporal RNFL thickness (P = 0.020), and smaller increases in the nasal (P = 0.022) and inferonasal (P = 0.005) RNFL thicknesses. In nonglaucomatous eyes, the length of the IZ defect decreased significantly postoperatively (P = 0.009), while no significant change was observed in POAG eyes (P = 0.115).

CONCLUSIONS

Structural changes in the macula and peripapillary areas following PPV with ERM peeling were less pronounced in POAG eyes than in nonglaucomatous eyes, probably due to preexisting optic nerve damage. These different structural outcomes should be considered in the diagnosis and monitoring of patients with glaucoma accompanied by ERM. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.