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The influence of retinal oxygenation on the clinical outcomes in eyes with epiretinal membrane after successful vitrectomy
Author(s) -
WEIGERT G,
SACU S,
GEORGOPOULOS M,
PALKOVITS S,
BLUM R,
REZAR S,
EIBENBERGER K,
SCHMIDTERFURTH U,
SCHMETTERER L
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.534
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1755-3768
pISSN - 1755-375X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-3768.2012.4612.x
Subject(s) - vitrectomy , retinal , medicine , epiretinal membrane , ophthalmology , visual acuity , retina , oxygenation , anesthesia , biology , neuroscience
Purpose In the present study patients with epiretinal membrane underwent 23G vitrectomy and ICG membrane peeling. Little information is available about the effects of this treatment on retinal oxygenation. Hence, we set out to investigate the effects of vitrectomy on retinal oxygenation in patients with epiretinal membrane. Methods In this unmasked, prospective study, patients with macular edema as a result of epiretinal membrane scheduled to undergo vitrectomy without endotamponade, were included. The main outcome measure was oxygenation of the retinal vessels. The measurement of oxygenation in retinal vessels and retinal vessel diameters was performed with the Retinal Vessel Analyzer at baseline, at day 1, day 7, week 4, and week 12 after surgery. At each follow‐up visit, a high‐definition OCT examination and ETDRS visual acuity were also performed. Results Retinal venous diameter increased significantly at the first follow‐up examination. There was no significant change in oxygen saturation in retinal arteries. Retinal oxygen saturation in retinal veins showed a tendency to decrease at the 3 months follow‐up visit. Visual acuity did not change significantly after 3 months. Central retinal thickness was decreased after 3 months as expected but not to a significant level. Conclusion Vitrectomy for epiretinal membrane may show beneficial short‐term effects on retinal oxygenation. In eyes with macular edema due to other pathologies with retinal ischemia, vitrectomy may be performed as an additional treatment modality. Further studies evaluating whether these effects are associated with changes in long‐term visual acuity are warranted.