EPIRETINAL MEMBRANES SURROUNDING IDIOPATHIC MACULAR HOLES

Purpose: To describe the features of the epiretinal membranes (ERMs) s urrounding idiopathic macular holes. Methods: The charts of 83 consecu tive patients (85 eyes) who underwent macular hole surgery with a syst ematic search for an ERM around the hole were reviewed. Visual acuity testing, fundus biomicroscopy, red free and blue filter fundus photogr aphs, and fluorescein angiograms were performed before and after surge ry. Eyes with and without ERM removal were compared. Results: An ERM w as removed from 26 of 85 eyes (30.6%). ERMs were found more frequently in stage 4 than in stage 3 macular holes (76.9% versus 24.6%; P < 0.0 1). Holes had been present for longer in eyes with ERM than in those w ithout (14.7 versus 8.6 months; P = 0.05). Fewer stage 3 holes with an ERM had an operculum than those without (P = 0.01). The outcome and c omplication rates were similar in eyes with an ERM and those without. Of the 24 ERMs detectable on blue filter fundus photographs, only II ( 45.6%) were visible on red free photographs. Conclusion: We support th e hypothesis that the presence of ERMs surrounding idiopathic macular holes is secondary to hole formation.