Early surgery for epiretinal membrane
Reviewed by Nana Theodorou

This was a retrospective case review study in 120 consecutive patients with idiopathic epiretinal membrane. The average patient age was 72 years with a mean follow-up of 6.5 months. Inclusion criteria consisted of symptomatic patients with visual acuity of 1.0 LogMAR or better (VA was measured in Snellens). Preoperatively patients were either pseudophakic or underwent combined phaco–vitrectomy. The mean preoperative VA was 0.44 LogMAR and postoperatively the mean VA was 0.23 showing statistically significant results. Two patients underwent repeat vitrectomy. Evaluation of parameter coefficients indicated that a delay in surgical procedure corresponded to a decrease in VA units. The procedures were classed as early, medium or late. This study serves as evidence that early surgery in these patients is indicated to achieve good VA outcomes with the need of further studies into timing and prognosis. 

Early surgery for epiretinal membrane preserves more vision for patients.
Rahman R, Stephenson J,
EYE
2014;28:410-4.