Visual function and vision-related quality of life after vitrectomy for epiretinal membranes: a 12-month follow-up study.

PURPOSE: Toevaluate the effect of removing epiretinal membranes (ERMs) on visual function and vision-related quality of life (VR-QOL) for 12 months postoperatively. METHODS: Idiopathic ERMs were removed during vitrectomy in 26 eyes. The VR-QOL was evaluated using a self-administered 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire before (baseline) and 3 and 12 months postoperatively. During the same periods, the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), and metamorphopsia score were recorded. RESULTS: At baseline and months 3 and 12, the logMAR BCVAs (mean ± SEM) were 0.41 ± 0.05, 0.17 ± 0.04 (P = 0.0001 versus baseline), and 0.10 ± 0.03 (P < 0.0001 versus baseline, P = 0.0016 versus month 3), respectively; the CMTs (μm) were 402 ± 18, 312 ± 9 (P < 0.0001 versus baseline), and 300 ± 7 (P < 0.0001 versus baseline, P = 0.0544 versus month 3); and the metamorphopsia scores were 202 ± 29, 137 ± 27 (P = 0.0186 versus baseline), and 108 ± 26 (P = 0.0005 versus baseline, P = 0.0218 versus month 3). In 23 (88%) of 26 eyes, the BCVA improved more than 0.1 logMAR unit at month 12. The improved BCVA was correlated with improvements in two subscales (r = -0.405 to -0.574, P = 0.0041-0.0427) at month 3; the improved metamorphopsia score was correlated with the improved composite score (r = -0.552, P = 0.0058) and three subscales (r = -0.458 to -0.507, P = 0.0113-0.0219) at month 12. CONCLUSIONS: Removing ERMs improved visual function, anatomy, and the VR-QOL. Three months postoperatively, the improved BCVA was the most important factor related to the improved VR-QOL, although the simultaneous cataract surgery might have had a confounding effect. The improved metamorphopsia was the important factor associated with improved VR-QOL 12 months postoperatively.(www.umin.ac.jp/ctr number, UMIN000000617).