Pars Plana Vitrectomy and Internal Limiting Membrane Peeling in Epimacular Membranes: Correlation of Function and Morphology across the Macula

Purpose: To analyze the correlation between morphological and functional results 12 months after epiretinal membrane (ERM) surgery. Methods: 31 eyes from 31 consecutive patients with metamorphopsia and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) below 20/32 underwent a transconjunctival 23gauge vitrectomy with ERM and internal limiting membrane peeling. Preoperatively and 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively, we assessed BCVA, microperimetry (MP-1) and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Photoreceptor inner and outer segment (IS/OS) was graded on SD-OCT images and correlated with microperimetry measurements in the fovea and parafoveal region. Results: The postoperative BCVA was significantly better in eyes with an intact IS/OS junction (p < 0.01). In addition, the mean defect depth was postoperatively decreased in the foveal and parafoveal area in eyes with an intact IS/OS junction. A correlation of SD-OCT IS/OS images and microperimetry in eyes with improvement in BCVA of at least 2 lines revealed a statistically significant result for the parafoveal quadrants (p <