gms | German Medical Science

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of additional delamination of the internal limiting membrane (ILM) in patients with Makula pucker.

Methods: This randomized, prospective study included 32 patients with idiopathic Makular pucker. All patients underwent pars plana vitrectomy and membrane peeling, in 16 patients (group II) an additional dye-assisted (Brilliant-Peel®) delamination of the internal limiting membrane was performed. Examinations were conducted preoperatively, one, three and six months postoperatively and included ETDRS visual acuity (VA), fluorescein angiography (FAG), OCT and Lens opacification test (LOCS III).

Patients: The 32 patients (18 female, 14 male) were operated between November 2007 and December 2009. The mean age was 71.7 years. 8 patients were pseudophakic, 24 patients phakic. In each group one drop out occured and 27 patients could be examined after six months

Results: Visual acuity: Group I (without intentional delamination of the internal limiting membrane)

The mean ETDRS visual acuity preoperatively was 0.54 log MAR. Three months postoperatively mean visual acuity increased to 0.33 and at the 6th months visit 0.39. Group II (with intentional delamination of the internal limiting membrane) Mean EDTRS visual acuity preoperatively was 0.47 log MAR. Three months after surgery it slightly improved to 0.4. Six months postoperatively it was 0.48. Central retinal thickness: Group I (without intentional delamination of the internal limiting membrane) The mean central retina thickness was 473 µm preopereatively, 342 µm after three months and after six months 326 µm. Group II ( with intentional delamination of the internal limiting membrane) In this group the mean central retinal thickness preoperatively was 417 µm, 348 µm after three months and 330 µm at the 6th months Visit.