MACULAR EPIRETINAL MEMBRANE PEELING TREATMENT OUTCOMES IN YOUNG CHILDREN

Clinical features of idiopathic epiretinal membrane in children and the factors influencing postoperative visual acuity

PURPOSE

To describe the characteristics and surgical outcomes of idiopathic epiretinal membrane (iERM) in children and to determine the factors associated with postoperative visual acuity (VA).

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 17 patients with iERM (age, < 18 years) who had undergone ERM surgery from 2009 to 2021. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography features were documented. The eyes with iERMs involving the fovea were assigned to the localized and diffused groups depending on the morphological description of the membrane. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to explore the factors associated with the final VA.

RESULTS

The mean age was 9.2 ± 3.8 years. The mean follow-up period was 38.9 ± 45.4 months. After surgery, the central foveal thickness and the best-corrected VA (BCVA) improved significantly (all, P < 0.05). Fourteen eyes with iERMs showed involvement of the foveal area (localized group, six eyes; diffused group, eight eyes). There were no significant differences in the preoperative BCVA between the two groups (P = 0.064). However, the final BCVA was better in the diffused group than in the localized group (P = 0.043). Multiple regression analysis indicated that the localized membrane (P = 0.042) and lower preoperative BCVA (P = 0.043) were factors associated with a worse final VA in pediatric iERMs.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical removal of ERM showed a high anatomical and functional success rate in children. In pediatric patients with iERMs involving the fovea, a good VA was more common when the membrane was diffused than when it was localized.

Clinic study on macular epiretinal membrane in patients under the age of 40 years

BACKGROUND

To describe the risk factors and clinical characteristics of macular epiretinal membrane (MEM) disease in patients up to the age of 40 years and to evaluate the therapeutic effect of IVTA on MEM.

METHODS

Clinical records were reviewed and the etiology of each case and the age distribution data were collected in this retrospective, cohort study. The clinical characteristics of MEM and the factors affecting VA were analyzed. Additionally, we contrasted the effects of MEM peeling with and without intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide on visual acuity (VA) and central foveal thickness (CFT).

RESULTS

In young patients, the incidence of partial posterior vitreous detachment (P-PVD) was considerably higher in IMEM than SMEM (P = 0.007). Furthermore, patients with stage 3 MEM had lower BCVA values than patients with stage 4 MEM (P < 0.001). Patients who live in urban had lower BCVA values than patients in rural (P < 0.001). Patients with IS/OS integrity had lower BCVA values than patients without IS/OS integrity (P < 0.001). The BCVA values in patients with IMEM were significantly lower than those of patients with SMEM (P < 0.001). BCVA was associated most commonly with etiology (P = 0.001), followed by region (P = 0.002). All patients had a decrease in logMAR Vas and CFT, but the combination of intraoperative IVTA resulted in a more significant decrease in logMAR Vas (P = 0.007) and CFT (P = 0.046).

CONCLUSION

In young patients, the incidence of P-PVD was significantly higher in IMEM cases than in SMEM cases. The region, MEM stage, IS/OS integrity, and etiology influenced VA. Etiology was associated most commonly with BCVA. In individuals under 40, the combination of intraoperative IVTA resulted in a more significant decrease in logMAR Vas and CFT.

Description and surgical management of epiretinal membrane due to combined hamartoma of the retina and retinal pigment epithelium

Purpose

To outline the characteristics of Combined Hamartoma of the Retina and Retinal Pigmentation Epithelium (CHRRPE) and provide a comprehensive overview of surgical management of epiretinal membrane (ERM) caused by CHRRPE.

Main text

CHRRPE is a rare ocular tumor. It clinically mimics other diseases such as retinoblastoma and choroidal melanoma. The present study reviewed the multimodal imaging of CHRRPE, highlighted the multimodal imaging modalities which are useful for revealing the unique features of CHRRPE and hence allowing physicians to confirm the diagnosis.Although most of CHRRPEs are benign harmatoma, progressive visual loss may occur because of the traction of the tumor and other complications. It is treated through surgical removal of the ERM caused by CHRRPE to free retina from the traction. Currently, there is no consensus on the surgical management of CHRRPE. Therefore, the current review was designed to explore the surgical management of ERM caused by CHRRPE and hence provide updated data on this subject.

Conclusions

Multimodal imaging technologies, especially optical coherence tomography (OCT), significantly contributes to the diagnosis of CHRRPE and visual prognosis. Surgical management of CHRRPE through removal of ERM is beneficial in patients with worsening VA which is secondary to ERM which is associated with CHRRPE. However, the strategy is limited to patients with long-standing poor vision. However, earlier surgical therapy and subsequent postoperative amblyopia therapy can be explored for children of amblyogenic age.

CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS, LONG-TERM SURGICAL OUTCOMES, AND PROGNOSTIC FACTORS OF EPIRETINAL MEMBRANE IN YOUNG PATIENTS

PURPOSE

To explore the clinical characteristics, long-term surgical outcomes, and prognostic factors for vision improvement in young patients with epiretinal membrane (ERM).

METHODS

A cohort of in-patients aged <40 years and underwent surgical removal of ERM were selected from medical records between January 2009 and December 2015. Data from pre- and postoperative examinations were analyzed for evaluation of surgical outcome.

RESULTS

A total of 142 eyes of 140 patients were included. Epiretinal membrane was secondary in 64.79% of eyes and inflammation was the most common secondary cause. Epiretinal membrane in young patients was characterized by severe proliferation and a tendency to center off-macula and for optic disk involvement. Ninety-three eyes of 91 patients were included in the surgical outcome analysis. Mean follow-up time was 28.95 months. The average vision improvement was 4.2 lines, with an ERM recurrence rate of 4.3%. Patients with idiopathic ERM attained better visual outcomes, whereas those with secondary ERM showed greater improvement. Preoperative visual acuity, the duration of symptoms, and patient sex were predictive factors for visual outcome.

CONCLUSION

Surgical removal of ERM improves visual acuity, and patients with greater preoperative visual acuity and a shorter duration of symptoms attain the best visual outcomes.

Optical coherence tomography imaging of the pediatric retina

Optical coherence tomography is an increasingly important part of the retinal specialist's and general ophthalmologist's toolkit for diagnosing and managing retinal disease. This review summarizes the unique considerations and available imaging systems with which pediatric ophthalmologists should be familiar when attempting optical coherence tomography in children. Normal developmental changes in foveal and extrafoveal structure and the need for an established pediatric normative database of retinal thicknesses are reviewed. Finally, applications of optical coherence tomography imaging to selected representative pediatric retinal diseases are introduced as examples of how optical coherence tomography in children is furthering the diagnosis and management of vision-threatening retinal diseases.

Long-term natural history of the idiopathic epiretinal membrane in children and young adults

PURPOSE

To evaluate the natural history of the idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM) in children and young adults.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 52 patients younger than 40 years who had been diagnosed with idiopathic ERM. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) measured at diagnosis were compared with those at the final visit. Incidence and factors predictive of the spontaneous release of ERM were additionally investigated. Moreover, the proportion of eyes that eventually underwent surgery was identified.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 32.5 ± 6.7 years, and the mean follow-up duration was 34.5 ± 23.4 months. The mean logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution BCVA (0.05 ± 0.10, Snellen equivalents = 20/22) and CRT (340.6 ± 61.6 μm) at diagnosis were not different from BCVA (0.06 ± 0.10, 20/23) (P = 0.928) and CRT (326.6 ± 70.8 μm) (P = 0.079) at the final follow-up. Two lines or greater deterioration in the BCVA was noted in 2 eyes (3.8%). Spontaneous release of ERM was noted in 14 eyes (26.9%). The release of ERM was more frequently noted in eyes without cystoid intraretinal edema or retinoschisis (P = 0.020) or eyes with loss of foveal concavity at diagnosis (P = 0.008). During the follow-up period, 5 eyes (9.6%) underwent surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

The natural history of the idiopathic ERM in children and young adults was generally favorable with definite deterioration in visual acuity noted only in a limited proportion of patients. Baseline retinal morphology may be predictive of the spontaneous release of ERM.

Morphologic and Postoperative Fixation Characteristics of the Macular Epiretinal Membrane in Young Patients Undergoing Surgery

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

To describe morphologic characteristics, surgical outcomes, postoperative preferred retinal loci (PRL), and fixation stability of epiretinal membranes (ERMs) in young patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This retrospective study analyzed 43 eyes of 41 young patients (age range: 0.8 years to 28 years) with ERMs, which were divided into two groups: secondary ERMs (SERMs; n = 28) and idiopathic ERMs (IERMs; n = 13). All 43 eyes underwent 25-gauge vitrectomy and membrane peeling. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography scans and microperimetry were used to analyze morphologic and fixation characteristics, respectively.

RESULTS

Premacular fibrosis was more common in SERMs group (P = .006). SERMs were also associated with less external limiting membrane (ELM) (P = .008) and ellipsoid zone visibility (P = .008) compared with IERMs. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved in 20 eyes (69%) with SERMs (P = .005) and in 12 eyes (86%) with IERMs (P = .13). From the analysis of the postoperative fixation characteristics, there was a linear correlation between visual acuity and fixation stability (R² = 0.495).

CONCLUSION

BCVA improved significantly in young patients with ERM, even in cases with a severely disrupted ELM and ellipsoid zone. More attention should be paid to the postoperative fixation location and stability. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2017;48:655-662.].

Successful surgical management of bilateral epiretinal membrane in a child with only café-au-lait spots

A 6-year-old boy diagnosed as anisometropic amblyopia, with only café-au-lait spots and a family history of neurofibromatosis, presented with decrease in vision in the both eyes. Dilated fundus examination showed epiretinal membrane in both eyes over the macula. He underwent successful surgical management of the epiretinal membrane.

BASAL CELL NEVUS SYNDROME PRESENTING AS EPIRETINAL MEMBRANE AND MYELINATED NERVE FIBER LAYER

PURPOSE

To report a case of epiretinal membrane and myelinated nerve fiber layer, which preceded the diagnosis of basal cell nevus syndrome, in a young girl.

METHODS

Observational case report.

RESULTS

A 12-year-old girl was referred for an asymptomatic epiretinal membrane. Examination revealed epiretinal membrane in the right eye without posterior vitreous separation or vitreous abnormality and bilateral myelinated nerve fiber layer. Subsequent workup yielded pathologic diagnosis of multiple skin basal cell carcinoma and odontogenic keratocysts in the jaw. Genetic testing revealed a frameshift mutation in the PTCH1 gene.

CONCLUSION

Basal cell nevus syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant disease that affects multiple organ systems, including the eyes. Recognition of common ocular findings in children with basal cell nevus syndrome can lead to systemic diagnosis. Early diagnosis is critical to initiate early screening for known neoplastic associations and lifelong minimization of sun exposure to reduce the incidence and severity of basal cell carcinoma.

Pearls and pitfalls in diagnosis and management of coats disease

PURPOSE

To review current literature on Coats disease and provide a structured framework for differentiating challenging clinical features in Coats disease patients.

METHODS

We critically reappraise historical and current literature and present clinical methods for developing a thorough differential diagnosis and management strategy for Coats disease.

RESULTS

Coats disease is a sporadic, usually unilateral condition typically occurring in young males. When untreated, this disorder can lead to total exudative retinal detachment and secondary glaucoma.

CONCLUSIONS

Anti-VEGF agents are currently a treatment option in combination with ablative therapy of telangiectatic vessels. Anti-VEGF agents appear particularly useful for patients with extensive areas of exudative retinal detachment, and are an effective treatment option for total retinal detachment.

LONG-TERM OUTCOME OF EPIRETINAL MEMBRANE SURGERY IN YOUNG CHILDREN

PURPOSE

To describe the clinical characteristics of epiretinal membranes (ERMs) secondary to nonprogressive diseases in very young children and to assess their surgical outcome.

METHODS

Retrospective interventional case series study of 13 pediatric patients (aged less than 12 years) operated on for ERM more than a 6-year period. Visual acuity measurement, ophthalmic examination, and optical coherence tomography imaging were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively.

RESULTS

Mean age was 6.5 years (3-12 years). Mean follow-up duration was of 28.5 months (12-69 months). Among the 13 patients, there were 7 cases of idiopathic ERM, 4 cases of combined hamartoma of the retina and retinal pigment epithelium, and 2 cases of posttraumatic ERM. The diagnosis of ERM was fortuitous in 10 cases (77%). Twelve children (92%) experienced a functional improvement. All patients received adjuvant treatment of amblyopia. Best-corrected visual acuity improved significantly after surgery from 20/160 to 20/40 (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Even in very young children, surgery resulted in a significant long-term improvement. Children screening was essential for diagnosis and treatment in most cases.

Spectral domain optical coherence tomography characterization of pediatric epiretinal membranes

PURPOSE

To compare the macular morphology of pediatric versus adult eyes with epiretinal membrane (ERM) using spectral domain optical coherence tomography and identify characteristics associated with postoperative visual acuity.

METHODS

This retrospective study analyzed spectral domain optical coherence tomography from pediatric subjects and a randomly selected cohort of adult subjects with ERM. Morphologic retinal and ERM features were graded by two masked spectral domain optical coherence tomography readers and compared with a postoperative change in visual acuity.

RESULTS

Pediatric ERMs (age, 0.3-16.5 years) were more confluently attached to the retina than adult ERMs (age, 40-88 years; P = 0.009) and had less fibrillary appearance of the inner retina when separation was present (P = 0.044). Pediatric ERMs were associated with more vessel dragging (P = 0.019) and less external limiting membrane (P = 0.001) and inner segment band visibility (P = 0.010), with a trend toward foveal sparing by ERM (P = 0.051) and "taco" retinal folds (P = 0.052) compared with adult eyes. Visual acuity improvement was associated with intact (P = 0.048) and smooth (P = 0.055, trend) inner segment band in children and with smooth inner segment band (P = 0.083, trend) and visible external limiting membrane (P = 0.098, trend) in adults.

CONCLUSION

We identified morphologic differences between pediatric and adult ERM on spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Similar to adults, photoreceptor integrity with pediatric ERM seems to predict better visual acuity changes after surgical ERM removal.

Intraocular Microsurgical Forceps (20, 23, and 25 gauge) Membrane Peeling Forces Assessment

Background. To assess the peeling forces exerted by different calibers of microsurgical forceps on an experimental model of epiretinal membrane. Methods. A model of epiretinal membrane was constructed using thin cellulose paper and heptanes-isopropyl alcohol 1% mixture. The model was mounted on a force censoring device. Subsequently, flaps were created with three different microsurgical forceps of different calibers. We recorded the number of attempts, the duration of the event, and the pushing and the pulling forces during the peeling. The results were compared by a one-way ANOVA and a Fisher unprotected least significant difference test with an alpha value of 0.05 for statistically significance. Results. There was a statistical significant difference on the pulling and pushing forces between the 25 gauge (13.79 mN; -13.27 mN) and the 23 (6.63 mN; -5.76 mN) and 20 (5.02 mN; -5.30 mN) gauge, being greater in the first (P < 0.001). There were no differences in the duration of all events, meaning that all the forces were measured within the same period of time. Conclusions. The 25 gauge microsurgical forceps exerted the greatest mechanical stress over our simulated epiretinal membrane model and required more attempts to create a surgical suitable flap. The clinical implication of this finding is still to be determined.