Purpose: To compare visual outcome and postoperative complications of combined 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy and phacoemulsification with vitrectomy alone surgery in patients with epiretinal membrane and macular hole.
Methods: A total of 110 eyes (73 eyes with epiretinal membrane and 37 eyes with macular hole) were enrolled in this prospective study. The eyes were divided into two groups: Group A included 55 eyes which underwent phacovitrectomy at the same time and Group B included 55 eyes which underwent vitrectomy alone. Follow-up visits were at 1, 3, and 6 months.
Results: The best-corrected visual acuity correlation by analysis of variance measurement showed statistically non-significant differences between the two groups (p = 0.32). The post hoc analysis from baseline, 1°, 2°, and 3° follow-ups was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The most common postoperative complication was cystoid macular edema that has been detected in 11 patients (10%) (seven eyes in Group A and four eyes in Group B): 2 patients (1.8%) developed a chronic macular edema. Intraocular hypertension occurred in five eyes (4.5%) (three in Group A and two in Group B). Four eyes (3.6%) underwent another surgical procedure for a persistent macular hole (two in Group A and two in Group B). The intraocular lens repositioning was performed one day after surgery in three eyes (2.7%) (Group A). The mean preoperative visual acuity was not different between the two groups (p = 0.80).
Conclusion: No significative differences between combined surgery and vitrectomy alone have been detected, in terms of postoperative complications and visual outcome.
Keywords: Epiretinal membrane; macular hole; pars plana vitrectomy; phacoemulsification; postoperative posterior segment/vitreous problems.