Vitrectomy combine with double membranes peeling for idiopathic epiretinal membrane

AIM: To explore the efficacy and safety of vitrectomy combine with internal limiting membrane peeling and epiretinal membranes peeling in the treatment of idiopathic epiretinal membrane(IERM). METHODS: In this retrospective study, 53 patients(53 eyes)who underwent vitrectomy for IERM from January 2015 to December 2015 were evaluated, with 24-month follow-up. Only removal of the epiretinal membrane(ERM group)was performed in 21 patients, while 32 had removal of the epiretinal membrane associated with internal limiting membrane peeling(ERM+ILM group). The best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), central macular thickness(CMT)and the complications were observed and analyzed before operation, 1, 3, 12, 24mo after operation. RESULTS: Both groups showed significant improvement of BCVA when compared to preoperative BCVA(PP>0.05). After operation, statistically significant CMT reduction occurred in both groups(PP>0.05). There were 3 cases(3 eyes)had retinal punctate hemorrhage after operation, of which 1(5%)was from the ERM group and 2(6%)were from the ERM+ILM group. No significant difference was observed between the groups(P=1.000). At the end of follow-up, 4 cases(19%)presented with recurrence of the epiretinal membrane all from the ERM group, and there no recurrence was found in ERM+ILM group, and the difference was statistically significant(P=0.020).CONCLUSION: Vitrectomy with ILM peeling and epiretinal membranes peeling for the treatment of epiretinal membrane is the efficacy and safety, and it may reduce the recurrence.