Morphometric spectral-domain optical coherence tomography features of epiretinal membrane correlate with visual acuity in patients with uveitis.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To identify visually significant spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) features of epiretinal membranes (ERM) in patients with uveitis.

DESIGN:

Retrospective cohort and cross-sectional study.

METHODS:

Eighty consecutive eyes with uveitis and SD-OCT-documented ERM were included. Clinical data were collected at the time of diagnosis of ERM and at the final visit. SD-OCT images at the last visit were evaluated to identify fovea and ERM configuration and structural changes. Changes of 10% and 20% in central subfield thickness between initial and last SD-OCT were calculated and correlated with visual acuity (VA). An ERM thickness map was created using validated SD-OCT grading software.

RESULTS:

VA improved significantly in eyes with more than 12 months of follow-up (P = .03). Although inflammation activity and medical treatment methods were no different in eyes with more or less than 12 months of follow-up, 16 eyes in the subset with longer follow-up underwent cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated few vision losses during the follow-up period. Change in central subfield thickness did not correlate with VA. Foveal center involvement (P < .001), focal attachment of the ERM (P = .003), and foveal inner segment and outer segment junction disruption (P = .006) were associated independently with lower VA. ERM was thinner in eyes with 20/40 or better VA (4.6 ± 0.6 μm) compared with eyes with VA of less than 20/200 (P = .02). Longer duration of ERM was associated with thicker ERM (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS:

In most eyes with uveitis and ERM, VA remains stable if ocular inflammation and comorbidities are addressed appropriately.

• Authors: Hossein Nazari, Laurie Dustin, Florian M Heussen, Srinivas Sadda, Narsing A Rao
• Journal: American journal of ophthalmology (Am J Ophthalmol) Vol. 154 Issue 1 Pg. 78-86.e1 (Jul 2012) ISSN: 1879-1891 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 22541930 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Cataract Extraction
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Epiretinal Membrane (diagnosis)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Lens Implantation, Intraocular
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Retina (pathology)
• Retrospective Studies
• Tomography, Optical Coherence
• Uveitis (physiopathology)
• Visual Acuity (physiology)
• Young Adult