LAUSR

Purpose To investigate the relationship between ophthalmic parameters-including optical coherence tomography (OCT) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) findings-and foveal pit restoration in eyes that had undergone vitrectomy for idiopathic epiretinal membrane (iERM) removal. Methods This study retrospectively analyzed data of patients who underwent pars planar vitrectomy (PPV) for the removal of ERM. Only eyes with iERM above stage 2 with a follow-up over 6 months were included. Baseline data and changes in ophthalmic parameters were analyzed from 3 months before to 12 months after surgery. Additionally, we stratified iERM patients into two groups (foveal pit restoration and no restoration group). Longitudinal comparison analyses between the two groups were done in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central foveal thickness (CFT) and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) areas measurements using swept-source OCT and OCTA. Results Forty-three patients with a mean age of 75 ± 5 years were enrolled. After surgery, BCVA, FAZ, and CFT showed improvements over time (all p-value < 0.002). Thirty-one patients were designated into the foveal pit restoration (R) group and 12 patients into the no restoration (NR) group. Differences in BCVA and FAZ area in both groups existed up to 6 months. However, BCVA improved and FAZ expanded (R: 0.20 ± 0.05 vs. NR: 0.18 ± 0.04) in both groups showing no statistical difference 12 months post -surgery. The CFT decreased in both groups, but the R group was thinner at every point compared to the NR group (all p-values < 0.05). Conclusions The removal of ERM in PPV significantly improves BCVA, decreases the CFT and expands the FAZ. Foveal pit restoration improves BCVA, CFT and FAZ area possibly at a faster rate in the early months but long-term improvements could be achieved regardless of the status of foveal pit restoration.