Risk factors for epiretinal membrane in eyes with primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment that received silicone oil tamponade

Background/aims This study investigated the risk factors for epiretinal membrane (ERM) in eyes with primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) that received silicone oil (SO) tamponade. Methods This retrospective analysis included 1140 patients (1140 eyes) with RRD who underwent primary vitrectomy and SO tamponade. The prevalence of ERM was estimated and possible risk factors (eg, type 2 diabetes, proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR), SO tamponade time (SOTT), photocoagulation, vitreous haemorrhage, choroidal detachment, cryotherapy and retinal tear size) were analysed via multiple logistic regression. Results The prevalence of ERM was 12.3% (140/1140), and the accuracy of preoperative ERM diagnosis was 40.5%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that risk factors for ERM in eyes with SO tamponade included preoperative PVR (OR=4.336, 95% CI 2.533 to 7.424, p<0.001), type 2 diabetes (OR=3.996, 95% CI 2.013 to 7.932, p<0.001), photocoagulation energy (OR=1.785, 95% CI 1.306 to 2.439, p<0.001) and SOTT (OR=1.523, 95% CI 1.261 to 1.840, p<0.001). No statistically significant associations were observed between the incidence of ERM and other risk factors. Preoperative PVR showed the strongest association with risk of ERM. The risk of ERM was positively associated with SOTT, photocoagulation energy and preoperative PVR grade. Conclusion In eyes with RRD that received SO tamponade, the prevalence of ERM was 12.3%, while the accuracy of preoperative ERM diagnosis was low. Preoperative PVR, type 2 diabetes, photocoagulation energy and SOTT were the main risk factors for ERM.