Structural changes in retinal layers during peeling of the internal limiting membrane in surgery for idiopathic epiretinal fibrosis

Purpose. To study the structural changes in the retinal layers after peeling of the internal limiting membrane (ILM) during surgery for idiopathic epiretinal fibrosis (iERF). Material and methods. The study included 69 patients (69 eyes) with iERF. A retrospective study was conducted with the study of documentation on the basis of the Center of Ophthalmology of the N.I. Pirogov NMHC from the period from 2021 to 2023. Results. The average thickness of the retina in the inner ring decreased from 420.2 ± 55.7 to 361.5 ± 26.8 microns. The total thickness of the retina significantly decreased in both the nasal and temporal internal fields after surgery. Conclusions. In the present study, thickening of the nasal parafoveal zone and thinning of the temporal inner layers of the retina were observed, which is reflected by various anatomical changes caused by peeling of the ILM. Analysis of the thickness of each layer and sector of the retina revealed various changes in the structures. Keywords: internal limiting membrane, idiopathic epiretinal fibrosis, retina