INTRODUCTION: Epiretinal membrane (ERM) is a common complication in eyes with inflammatory ocular pathologies. This study aims to compare anatomical and functional outcomes following vitrectomy in patients with ERM, either idiopathic or secondary to an inflammatory ocular condition. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted in Centro Hospitalar Universitario de Sao Joao, Porto, Portugal. Medical records from the Immunopathology and Surgical Retina consultations (2013-2023) were reviewed. Two cohorts were established: Group A (idiopathic ERM) and Group B (ERM secondary to an inflammatory ocular pathology). Data collected included: demographic information, pre- and post- surgery best- corrected visual acuity (BCVA), surgical complications, intraocular pressure variation, and macular optical coherence tomography metrics. RESULTS: Forty- two eyes from 42 patients were included, 21 in each group. No significant differences were observed between groups concerning the sex (p = 0.355) or laterality of the affected eye (p = 0.212). However, mean patient age at surgery was significantly lower in group B (p< 0.001). The change in BCVA from pre- surgery to 6 months and 1 year post- surgery was not significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.493 and p = 0.219, respectively). Preoperative macular edema was significantly more frequent in Group B (p< 0.001), while Group A exhibited a higher mean central macular thickness (CMT) (p = 0.030). In Group A, the CMT decreased from 492.24±81.98μm pre- surgery to 415.71±43.12μm at 6 months and 407.71±42.66μm at 1- year post- surgery. Similarly, in Group B, the CMT reduced from 471.00±146.05μm pre- surgery to 351.38±102.06μm at 6 months and 345.63±104.88μm at 1- year post- surgery. No significant differences were observed between the CMT at 6 months and 1 year in either group. The rates of surgical complications and the presence of ocular hypertension after surgery were comparable between the groups (p = 0.707 and p = 0.120, respectively). CONCLUSION: BCVA and CMT improvements following vitrectomy were comparable between patients with idiopathic ERM and those with ERM secondary to inflammatory ocular pathology, with a similar safety profile observed in both groups.
Santos-Oliveira et al. (Sun,) studied this question.