EN-BLOC DISSECTION OF EPIMACULAR MEMBRANES USING ASPIRATION DELAMINATION

'En bloc' dissection is a technique in which epiretinal membranes (ERM ) are separated from the retina as a single lamina with a 20-gauge blu nt flute needle, We used this technique to remove epimacular membranes of various aetiologies in a consecutive series of 25 eyes, with a min imum follow-up of 5 months (mean 10.4 months). Small residual epicentr es of ERM away from the fovea remained in 7 (29.1%) eyes only; 3 were inside and 4 outside the temporal vascular arcades, Postoperatively 64 % (16/25) of patients achieved a final visual acuity of 6/12 or better and 76% (19/25) achieved a final visual acuity of 6/18 or better, pro gressive lens opacities were the most important postoperative complica tion in phakic eyes that significantly affected the visual results, Th is technique successfully removed epimacular membranes over a wide are a, without the need to find a starting edge or the use of sharp instru ments near the retina, Diaphanous ERMs with ill-defined borders and te naciously adherent membranes could be removed with minimal trauma to t he underlying retina, Histopathological and immunohistochemical examin ation of 10 ERMs demonstrated the absence of internal limiting lamina in 6 (60%).