Characteristics of epiretinal membranes according to the presence or absence of posterior vitreous detachment

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the morphological features of epiretinal membrane (ERM) in the presence or absence of a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). Design Retrospective observational comparative case series. Methods This study involved 34 patients in whom the vitreoretinal relationship was confirmed during vitrectomy for treatment of ERM. We analyzed demography, direction of macular folds in fundus photographs, and foveal contours assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT) in two groups of patients, the posterior vitreous attachment (PVA) group and the PVD group. Results Mean age of the 14 patients in the PVA group was 58.2 +/- 8.2 years, and that of 20 patients in the PVD group was 66.7 +/- 6.7 years (P = 0.0023). Funduscopic examination revealed radiating folds in 57.1% of patients in the PVA group and 10% of patients in the PVD group, and a flat-shaped foveal contour was observed on OCT in 71.5% of patients in the PVA group and 25.0% of patients in the PVD group. Significant differences were observed between the PVA group and the PVD group in both direction of the macular folds (P<0.01) and foveal contours (P = 0.028). Conclusion Patients with ERM and PVA were usually younger than 60 years. Radiating macular folds and flat foveal contour in patients with ERM are highly sensitive and specific findings indicative of PVA. Eye (2011) 25, 1341-1346; doi:10.1038/eye.2011.171; published online 15 July 2011