Isolated Central Epiretinal Membrane: A Rare Complication of Fovea-Sparing Internal Limiting Membrane Peeling Technique

Yen-Chih Chen; San-Ni Chen

doi:10.1155/2021/6654604

Isolated Central Epiretinal Membrane: A Rare Complication of Fovea-Sparing Internal Limiting Membrane Peeling Technique

J Ophthalmol. 2021 Apr 14:2021:6654604. doi: 10.1155/2021/6654604. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Yen-Chih Chen^{1

2

3}, San-Ni Chen^{1

4

5

6}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Ophthalmology, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan.
² Department of Ophthalmology, Yunlin Christian Hospital, Xiluo, Yunlin, Taiwan.
³ Department of Optometry, Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taichung, Taiwan.
⁴ School of Medicine, Chung-Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
⁵ School of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
⁶ Department of Optometry, Da-Yeh University, Changhua, Taiwan.

Abstract

Purpose: To report a rare complication presenting as an isolated central epiretinal membrane (ERM) related to fovea-sparing internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling technique.

Methods: Five patients who received fovea-sparing ILM peeling were enrolled. Postoperatively, an isolated central ERM developed. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was used to evaluate the serial anatomic change.

Results: Among the five included patients, one patient had high myopia with foveoschisis, two patients had vitreomacular traction, and two patients had proliferative diabetic retinopathy with tractional retinal detachment and a fovea cyst. With an average of 5.80 months, OCT showed the gradual development of the isolated central ERM with severe fovea distortion. Four patients received secondary revision surgery, with improvement of the fovea contour and visual acuity.

Conclusion: The fovea-sparing ILM peeling technique may cause a rare but serious complication as the isolated central ERM, which would cause significant fovea distortion as well as visual deterioration. Timely detection and intervention is recommended to prevent further visual loss. This trial is registered with NCT04445142.

Associated data

ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT04445142