Long term follow up of retinal vascular changes after vitreoretinal surgery for idiopathic epiretinal membrane

Aim: The purpose of this research is to analyze postoperative retinal microvascularity, macular thickness, FAZ area and choriocapillaris flow area values of epiretinal patients who underwent vitreoretinal surgery to assess effects of the surgery to the retinal vascular structure. Materials and Methods: This study included 30 patients who underwent vitreoretinal surgery for idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM) which was diagnosed by means of slit lamb examination and Optic Coherence Tomography (OCT) imaging after their presentation to our clinic with complaints of decreased vision. In their examinations, their Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA), FAZ area, Macular Thickness, Superficial Capillary Plexus (SCP) and Deep Capillary Plexus (DCP) vascular density values, choriocapillary flow area and optic disc vascular density along with peripapillary region vascular density values were recorded. These measurement were done in preoperative, postoperative first month, postoperative third month and postoperative sixth month examinations. Results: BCVA values gradually increased in every postoperative examination. FAZ area did not significantly change compared to preoperative values (p>0,05). Whole area and perifovea SCP vascular parameters changed significantly (p<0,05) while only parafovea DCP vascular density values changed significantly after surgery (p<0,05). There was no significant difference in postoperative sixth month and preoperative measurements for choriocapillary flow area values (p>0,05). In the peripapillary measurements, temporal and inferior quadrants decreased significantly (p<0,05). Conclusion: Vitreoretinal surgery for ERM did not affect FAZ area. The decrease in the SCP values may be associated with the removal of the traction toward the center applied by ERM to the retinal vessels. We associated vascular density change in the temporal peripapillary quadrants with microtrauma occurred during the surgery.