Changes of Visual Acuity and Macular Thickness after Phacovitrectomy with Posterior Capsulectomy of Epiretinal Membrane

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the functional and structural recovery period of idiopathic epiretinal membranes after phacovitrectomy with posterior capsulectomy.Methods: From March 2012 to January 2015, 57 patients diagnosed with idiopathic epiretinal membranes with cataracts who underwent combined vitrectomy and cataract surgery with pars plana posterior capsulectomy were enrolled. The best-corrected visual acuity and central foveal thickness were analyzed retrospectively.Results: The average best-corrected visual acuity before surgery was 0.30 ± 0.23 logarithm of minimal angle of resolution (logMAR), and the mean central foveal thickness was 442 ± 93 μm. As of the 12-month follow-up, the average postoperative best-corrected visual acuity had improved to 0.08 ± 0.11 logMAR, and the central foveal thickness after surgery had decreased to 386 ± 58 μm at 12 months.Conclusions: After removing the potential influence of cataracts and posterior capsular opacity, the recovery of idiopathic epiretinal membranes continued up to 12 months after surgery.