Retinal layers thickness changes following epiretinal membrane surgery

PurposeTo evaluate the time course of changes in the thickness of retinal layers after epiretinal membrane (ERM) removal surgery.MethodsA retrospective cohort study of patients following surgery for idiopathic ERM. We used new specialized image analysis software to create a thickness map of each retinal layer and analyzed changes during one year follow-up. Healthy fellow eyes were used as negative controls and the retina prior to surgery as positive control.ResultsTwenty-one patients were included with a mean age of 68±13 years. Central macular thickness decreased steadily until 6 months after surgery (25% decrease, 516±76 to 386±73 μm, P<0.001) with no further decrease between 6 and 12 months (386±73 to 390±73 μm, P=0.291). The retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), and the ganglion cell and inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) were most affected (57%, P<0.001 and 27%, P=0.010, respectively). The thickest region showed a more abrupt decrease of 21% at first follow-up (504±61 to 399±58 μm, P=0.001) with subsequent decrements of about 3%. Prior to surgery all retinal layers were thicker in study eyes compared with healthy control eyes (6-63%, all P<0.05).ConclusionsFollowing ERM surgery, in the course of 6 months, the macula gradually becomes thinner after which a stable state is reached. All layers appear to be affected, with the RNFL and GCIPL impacted the most. Our results provide a unique view on how the thickness of different retinal layers changes following ERM surgery.