Idiopathic Epiretinal Membrane Surgery in Patients Aged Over 80 Years: Efficacy and Safety

Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM) surgery in patients aged over 80 years.

Methods

Consecutive patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) combined with ERM and internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling with retrobulbar anesthesia were recruited. Based on age, the patients were divided into the elderly group (≥ 80 years of age) and the control group (< 80 years of age). The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and surgical complications were regarded as the main measurement indicators.

Results

This study included 43 eyes from 43 patients aged 80 to 91 years and 86 eyes from 86 patients aged 54 to 79 years. Surgical intervention substantially improved BCVA both in the elderly and control groups (p = 0.005 and p < 0.001, respectively). Statistical analyses showed no significant difference in the incidence of surgical complications between the two groups (p = 0.631). The operations in either group were not delayed or canceled for the reason of complications of retrobulbar anesthesia, severe anxiety, or physical discomfort in the perioperative period. Moreover, no patient required a second operation. Also, no stroke, myocardial infarction, or death occurred during the follow-up period. All the surgical complications were treated satisfactorily.

Conclusion

Our outcomes indicate that PPV combined with ERM and ILM peeling with retrobulbar anesthesia is effective and safe in elderly patients aged 80 years or older. Based on age alone, we believe that advancing age should not be the risk factor for idiopathic ERM surgery.

Keywords:

• idiopathic epiretinal membrane
• elderly
• pars plana vitrectomy
• complication
• safety

Abbreviations

ERM, Epiretinal membrane; PPV, Pars plana vitrectomy; ILM, Internal limiting membrane; BCVA, Best-corrected visual acuity; IOP, Intraocular pressure; logMAR, logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution; IOL, Intraocular lens; MH, Macular hole.

Data Sharing Statement

The datasets used and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Ethics Approval and Informed Consent

The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Huashan Hospital of Fudan University (No. KY2021-837). The informed consent form was signed by all subjects recruited for this study.

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors declare that they have no competing interests in this work.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by a grant from the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality (No. 20Y11910800).