Effect of Internal Limiting Membrane Peeling on Macular Structure and Metamorphopsia Scores in Idiopathic Epiretinal Membrane Surgery

Pars Plana Vitrectomy (PPV) and epiretinal membrane (ERM) peeling is the standard surgical procedure of ERM surgery. However, the effect of adding Internal Limiting Membrane (ILM) peeling to the standard surgery on macular function and structure remains still controversial. This study was aimed at investigating the effect of ILM peeling on the macular function and structure in idiopathic ERM surgery.

Thirty-six eyes of 34 patients were evaluated in this prospective study. The patients were divided into two groups (ILM peeling and non-ILM peeling group). While the removal of ERM was undergone alone in 19 eyes, it was combined with ILM peeling in 17 eyes. Metamorphopsia scores Vertical Metamorphopsia (VM) and Horizontal Metamorphopsia (HM), were measured at preoperative and 4 months postoperatively.

There was a statistically significant decrease in metamorphopsia (VM and HM) scores in both groups after the surgery. However, no statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of reduction in VM scores and HM scores after surgery.

Our study indicated that ILM peeling combined with ERM did not affect metamorphopsia scores.