Abstract
Purpose
To provide a current review of the evidence for the utility of preoperative ocular coherence tomography (OCT) parameters in prognosticating postoperative visual acuity and visual improvement after idiopathic epiretinal membrane surgery. To determine which OCT bio-markers are most useful in this regard and where future studies may apply more emphasis.
Methods
An extensive search of the PubMed database was performed for studies investigating this relationship. Key search terms included: idiopathic, epiretinal membrane, surgery, peel, vitrectomy, vision, outcomes, visual acuity, ocular coherence tomography, central foveal thickness, foveal contour, foveal morphology, ectopic inner foveal layers, inner retinal layers, inner retinal irregularity index, outer retinal layers, ellipsoid zone, interdigitation zone, photoreceptor outer segment length, central bouquet abnormality, staging, choroidoscleral irregularity, ganglion cell and nerve fibre layers, inner and outer plexiform layers, inner and outer nuclear layers. Forty-nine peer-reviewed articles were included in this review. These consisted of 28 retrospective studies [1,2,3,13,16,17,18,20,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,32,33,34,35,36,38,40,42,43,44,45,46,47], 17 prospective studies[6,7,8,9,10,11,12,14,19,21,22,30,31,37,41,48,49], 2 reviews [4,39] and 2 systematic reviews [5,15].
Conclusion
The weight of literary evidence seems to support photoreceptor integrity as the most consistent OCT marker of better postoperative visual acuity. This includes analysis of ellipsoid and interdigitation zones as well as photoreceptor outer segment length. However, the newer OCT staging system proposed by Govetto et al. (2017) fulfils a need for a clinically useful and evidence-based OCT classification. It may be the way forward in prognosticating ERM surgical outcomes by preoperative stratification. There is insufficient evidence to suggest the other discussed parameters in this review as useful prognosticators of postoperative visual acuity.
Similar content being viewed by others
Availability of data and material
All studies referenced in this paper were accessed online via the PubMed database.
Code availability
Not applicable.
References
Itoh Y, Inoue M, Rii T, Hirota K, Hirakata A (2013) Correlation between foveal cone outer segment tips line and visual recovery after epiretinal membrane surgery. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 54:7302–7308
Kim JH, Kim YM, Chung EJ, Lee SY, Joh HJ (2012) Structural and functional predictors of visual outcome of epiretinal membrane surgery. Am J Ophthalmol 153(103–110):e1
Michalewski J, Michalewska Z, Cisiecki S, Nawrocki J (2007) Morphologically functional correlations of macular pathology connected with epiretinal membrane formation in spectral optical coherence tomography (SOCT). Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 245:1623–1631
Fung AT, Glavin J, Tran T (2021) Epiretinal membrane: a review. Clin Exp Ophthalmol 49:289–308
Scheerlinck LME, van der Valk R, van Leeuwen R (2015) Predictive factors for postoperative visual acuity in idiopathic epiretinal membrane: a systematic review. Acta Ophthalmol 93:203–212
Parisi V, Coppe AM, Gallinaro G, Stirpe M (2007) Assessment of macular function by focal electroretinogram and pattern electroretinogram before and after epimacular membrane surgery. Retina 27(3):312–320
Niwa T, Terasaki H, Kondo M, Piao C-H, Suzuki T, Miyake Y (2003) Function and morphology of macula before and after removal of idiopathic epiretinal membrane. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 44:1652–1656
Shimada Y, Sakurai S, Naito K, Sugino T, Kojima Y, Hori K, Horiguchi M (2011) Multifocal electroretinogram and optical coherent tomography: prediction of visual outcome after epiretinal membrane removal. Clin Exp Optom 94(3):296–301
Michalewska Z, Michaleski J, Adelman RA, Zawislak E, Nawrocki J (2015) Choroidal thickness measured with swept source optical coherence tomography before and after vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling for idiopathic epiretinal membranes. Retina 35:487–491
Mitamura T, Hirano K, Baba T, Yamamoto S (2009) Correlation of visual recovery with presence of photoreceptor inner/outer segment junction in optical coherence images after epiretinal membrane surgery. Br J Ophthalmol 93:171–175
Shiono A, Kogo J, Klose G, Takeda H, Ueno H, Tokuda N, Inoue J, Matsuzawa A, Kayama N, Ueno S, Takagi H (2013) Photoreceptor outer segment length: a prognostic factor for idiopathic epiretinal membrane surgery. Ophthalmology 120:788–794
Suh MH, Seo JM, Park KH, Yu HG (2009) Associations between macular findings by optical coherence tomography and visual outcomes after epiretinal membrane removal. Am J Ophthalmolol 147(473–480):e3
Kunikata H, Abe T, Kinukawa J, Nishida K (2011) Preoperative factors predictive of postoperative decimal visual acuity >/= 1.0 following surgical treatment for idiopathic epiretinal membrane. Clin Ophthalmol 5:147–154
Kim JH, Kang SW, Kong MG, Ha HS (2013) Assessment of retinal layers and visual rehabilitation after epiretinal membrane removal. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 251:1055–1064
Miguel AI, Legris A (2017) Prognostic factors of epiretinal membranes: a systematic review. J Fr Ophthalmol 40(1):61–79
Kim M, Lee Y, Kim R-Y, Kwak JH, Park Y-H (2020) Choroidoscleral interface irregularity index: a novel optical coherence tomography-based parameter in patients with epiretinal membrane. Sci Rep 10:696. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-57656-w
Shimozono M, Oishi A, Hata M, Matsuki T, Ito S, Ishida K, Jurimoto Y (2012) The significance of cone outer segment tips as a prognostic factor in epiretinal membrane surgery. Am J Ophthalmol 153(698–704):e1
Ortoli M, Blanco-Garavito R, Blautain B, Mastorakos N, Souied EH, Glacet-Bernard A (2021) Prognostic factors of idiopathic epiretinal membrane surgery and evolution of alterations of the central cone bouquet. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol, epub,. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-021-05110-6
Michalewska Z, Michaleski J, Ornafel-Sagan K, Nawrocki J (2016) Swept-source optical coherence tomography correlations between retina and choroid before and after vitrectomy for epiretinal membranes. Am J Ophthalmol 165:100–107
Park YG, Hong SY, Roh Y-J (2020) Novel optical coherence tomography parameters as prognostic factors for stage 3 epiretinal membranes. J Ophthalmol, e-collection,. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/9861086
Garcia-Fernandez M, Navarro JC, Castano CG, Alonso AG, Gil MF (2013) Epiretinal membrane surgery: anatomic and functional outcomes. Arch Soc Esp Oftalmol 88:139–144
Inoue M, Morita S, Watanabe Y, Kaneko T, Yamane S, Kobayashi S, Arakawa A, Kadonosono K (2011) Preoperative inner segment/outer segment junction in spectral-domain optical coherence tomography as a prognostic factor in epiretinal membrane surgery. Retina 31:1366–1372
Fernandes TF, Sousa K, Azevedo I, Gouveia P, Calvao-Santos G, Gomes N, Falcao M (2021) Baseline visual acuity and interdigitation zone as predictors in idiopathic epiretinal membranes: a retrospective cohort study. Eur J Ophthalmol 31(3):1291–1298
Coppola M, Brambati M, Cicinelli MV, Marchese A, Zanzottera EC, Deiro AP, Post M, Bandello F (2021) The visual outcomes of idiopathic epiretinal membrane removal in eyes with ectopic inner foveal layers and preserved macular segmentation. Grafes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 259:2193–2201
Jeon S, Jung B, Lee WK (2019) Long-term prognostic factors for visual improvement after epiretinal membrane removal. Retina 39:1786–1793
Ozdek S, Zeydanli EO, Karabas L, Teke MY, Yilmaz G, Citirik M, Kocak N, Durukan H (2021) Relation of anatomy with function following the surgical treatment of idiopathic epiretinal membrane: a multicenter retrospective study. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 259:891–904
Joe SG, Lee KS, Lee JY, Hwang J-U, Kim J-G, Yoon YH (2013) Inner retinal layer thickness is the major determinant of visual acuity in patients with idiopathic epiretinal membrane. Acta Ophthalmol 91(3):e242–e243
Zeyer JC, Parker P, Dajani O, Maccumber MW (2021) Preoperative domed macular contour correlates with postoperative visual gain after vitrectomy for symptomatic epiretinal membrane. Retina 41:505–509
Kromer R, Vogt C, Wagenfeld L, Spitzer MS, Stemplewitz B (2018) Predicting surgical success in patients with idiopathic epiretinal membrane using the spectral-domain optical coherence tomography segmentation module for single retinal layer analysis. Current Eye Res 43(8):1024–1031
Falkner-Radler CI, Glittenberg C, Hagen S, Benesch T, Binder S (2010) Spectral domain optical coherence tomography for monitoring epiretinal membrane surgery. Ophthalmology 117:798–805
Brito PN, Gomes NL, Vieira MP, Faria PA, Fernandes AV, Rocha-Sousa A, Falcao-Reis F (2014) Possible role for fundus autofluorescence as a predictive factor for visual acuity recovery after epiretinal membrane surgery. Retina 34:273–280
Kinoshita T, Kovacs K, Wagley S, Arroyo JG (2011) Morphologic differences in epiretinal membranes on ocular coherence tomography as a predictive factor for surgical outcome. Retina 31:1692–1698
Govetto A, Lelane RA III, Sarraf D, Figueroa MS, Hubschman JP (2017) Insights into epiretinal membranes: presence of ectopic inner foveal layers and a new optical coherence tomography staging scheme. Ophthalmol 175:99–113
Govetto A, Virgili G, Rodriguez FJ, Figueroa MS, Sarraf D, Hubschman JP (2019) Functional and anatomical significance of the ectopic inner foveal layers in eyes with idiopathic epiretinal membranes. Retina 39:347–357
Gonzalez-Saldivar G, Berger A, Wong D, Juncal V, Chow DR (2020) Ectopic inner foveal layer classification scheme predicts visual outcomes after epiretinal membrane surgery. Retina 40:710–717
Zur D, Iglicki M, Feldinger L, Schwartz S, Goldstein M, Loewenstein A, Barak A (2018) Disorganization of retinal inner layers as a biomarker for idiopathic epiretinal membrane after macular surgery - the dream study. Am J Ophthalmol 196:129–135
Zou J, Tan W, Huang W, Liu K, Li F, Xu H (2020) Association between individual retinal layer thickness and visual acuity in patients with epiretinal membrane: a pilot study. PeerJ 8:e9481. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.9481
Cho KH, Park SJ, Cho JH, Woo SJ, Park KH (2016) Inner-retinal irregularity index predicts postoperative visual prognosis in idiopathic epiretinal membrane. Am J Ophthalmol 168:139–149
Tao LW, Wu Z, Guymer RH, Luu CD (2016) Ellipsoid zone on optical coherence tomography: a review. Clin Exp Ophthalmol 44:422–430
Cobos E, Arias L, Ruiz-Moreno J, Rubio M, Garcia-Bru P, Caminal J, Catala-Mora J, Arruga J (2013) Preoperative study of the inner segment/outer segment junction of photoreceptors by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography as a prognostic factor in patients with epiretinal membranes. Clin Ophthalmol 7:1467–1470
Kinoshita T, Imaizumi H, Miyamoto H, Katome T, Semba K, Mitamura Y (2016) Two-year results of metamorphopsia, visual acuity, and optical coherence tomographic parameters after epiretinal membrane surgery. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 254(6):1041–1049
Kim HJ, Kang J-W, Chung H, Kim HC (2014) Correlation of foveal photoreceptor integrity with visual outcome in idiopathic epiretinal membranes. Curr Eye Res 39(6):626–633
Hashimoto Y, Saito W, Saito M, Hirooka K, Fujiya A, Yoshizawa C, Noda K, Ishida S (2014) Retinal outer layer thickness increases after vitrectomy for epiretinal membrane, and visual improvement positively correlates with photoreceptor outer segment length. Grafes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 252:219–226
Govetto A, Bhavsar KV, Virgili G, Gerber MJ, Freund KB, Curcio CA, Burgoyne CF, Hubschman J-P, Sarraf D (2017) Tractional abnormalities of the central foveal bouquet in epiretinal membranes: clinical spectrum and pathophysiological perspectives. Am J Ophthalmol 184:167–180
Tsunoda K, Watanabe K, Akiyama K, Usui T, Noda T (2012) Highly reflective foveal region in optical coherence tomography in eyes with vitreomacular traction or epiretinal membrane. Ophthalmol 119(3):581–587
Brinkmann MP, Michels S, Brinkmann C, Toro MD, Johansen NG, Rommel F, Ranjbar M, Becker M (2021) Influences of central bouquet alterations on the visual outcome in eyes receiving epiretinal membrane surgery. Appl Sci 11(3):926
Uji A, Murakami T, Unoki N, Ogino K, Nishijima K, Yoshitake S, Dodo Y, Yoshimura N (2014) Parallelism as a novel marker for structural integrity of retinal layers in optical coherence tomographic images in eyes with epiretinal membrane. Am J Ophthalmol 157:227–236
Doguizi S, Sekeroglu MA, Ozkoyuncu D, Omay AE, Yilmazbas P (2018) Clinical significance of ectopic inner foveal layers in patients with idiopathic epiretinal membranes. Eye 32:1652–1660
Hirata A, Nakada H, Mine K, Masumoto M, Sato T, Hayashi K (2019) Relationship between the morphology of the foveal avascular zone and the degree of aniseikonia before and after vitrectomy in patients with unilateral epiretinal membrane. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 257:507–515
Funding
The author has no funding to declare.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The author has nil to declare.
Ethical approval
Not required for a review article.
Consent for publication
Not applicable to a review article.
Consent to participate
Not applicable to a review article.
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Patheja, R.S. Preoperative ocular coherence tomographic prognosticators of visual acuity after idiopathic epiretinal membrane surgery. Int Ophthalmol 42, 3243–3252 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-022-02317-2
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-022-02317-2