Primary ILM peeling prevents macula pucker development

Primary peeling of the internal limiting membrane (ILM) successfully prevents the development of macula pucker and the full removal of all epiretinal membranes, claims a study in the journal Retina.

The investigation, led by Dr D. Odrobina, Klinika Okulistyczna, Poland, included of 84 patients who underwent retinectomy with silicone oil tamponade for retinal detachment caused by proliferative vitreoretinopathy.

Eyes were split into two groups with 33 eyes in group A and 51 eyes in group B. In group A the ILM was peeled and in group B the ILM was not peeled. The effect of ILM peeling for the prevention of macula pucker was determined by slit-lamp examination.

The first month after retinectomy revealed cases of extramacular epiretinal cellular proliferation in 3 eyes in group A and 3 eyes in group B. In the final follow-up there were no macular pucker cases in group A and 9 cases of macula pucker in group B.

Eyes with retinal detachment caused by proliferative vitreoretinopathy were successfully treated by retinectomy and silicone oil tamponade. Primary peeling of the ILM is a successful method of preventing the development of macula pucker.