PREOPERATIVE FLUORESCEIN ANGIOGRAPHIC FEATURES OF SURGICALLY REMOVED IDIOPATHIC EPIRETINAL MEMBRANES

Purpose: To determine whether preoperative fluorescein angiograms can be used to predict visual prognosis in eyes undergoing surgical remova l of idiopathic epiretinal membranes. Methods: A retrospective study o f preoperative fluorescein angiographic findings in cases of idiopathi c epimacular membrane removal during vitreous surgery was conducted. O f 422 consecutive cases, 229 met the criteria for minimum follow-up pe riod of 6 months. Angiograms from these 229 cases were analyzed in a s tandardized, masked fashion for macular edema, retinal vascular distor tion, and contraction of the foveal avascular zone. Results: Visual im provement was greatest in 7 eyes (3%) with the most severe degree of m acular edema (P = 0.0215). No difference in visual outcome was noted b etween eyes with less severe macular edema or no macular edema. Change in visual acuity was not associated with the extent of retinal vascul ar distortion (P = 0.477) or contraction of the foveal avascular zone (P = 0.248) Conclusion: The presence of macular edema on preoperative fluorescein angiography is not predictive of a poor visual outcome in eyes undergoing surgery for idiopathic epiretinal membranes. In genera l, preoperative fluorescein angiography is not useful in predicting vi sual prognosis in these cases.