Epiretinal membrane after pars plana vitrectomy for primary pseudophakic or aphakic rhegmatogenous retinal detachment: incidence and outcomes.

Purpose: To compare outcomes of eyes that did or did not develop an epiretinal membrane (ERM) after repair of primary pseudophakic or aphakic rhegmatogenous retinal detachment by pars plana vitrectomy alone.
Methods: Interventional, prospective, consecutive case series. Of 312 consecutive eyes that underwent pars plana vitrectomy for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, 28 (8.97%) developed ERM during the postoperative period. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and fundus examinations were performed 1 month and 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively.
Results: Eyes with an ERM more often had a break at the equator (odds ratio, 3.92; 95% confidence interval, 1.3–11.2; P < 0.011). At ERM diagnosis, BCVA ranged from 20/400 to 20/25 with a mean of 20/100 (0.75 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution), and BCVA at the final visit ranged from 20/200 to 20/25 with a mean of 20/63 (0.53 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution). Of the 22 eyes that underwent surgical removal of the ERM, BCVA was ≥ 20/40 in 5 (22.7%) before the surgical procedure and in 13 (59%) at the final follow-up visit.
Conclusion: The incidence of ERM after pars plana vitrectomy alone for the repair of primary pseudophakic or aphakic rhegmatogenous retinal detachment was similar to reported incidences after scleral buckling. Best-corrected visual acuity improved after surgical removal of ERM, although eyes with the macula detached had lower final BCVA.