To analyse the postoperative anatomical changes of maculae using optical coherent tomography after internal limiting membrane peeling during vitrectomy.

A retrospective review of 22 patients (22 eyes) who underwent vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling was performed. Age, sex, fundus findings, BCVA, operation methods, complications, and postoperative OCT findings were recorded.

Of 22 eyes, 12 eyes had epiretinal membranes, 5 eyes had macular holes, and 5 eyes had diffuse diabetic macular edemas. Eighteen of 22 eyes underwent internal limiting membrane peeling using ICG, with 1 eye treated with triamcinolone and 3 eyes treated with nothing. The postoperative improvement of BCVA was statistically significant in epiretinal membrane and diffuse macular edema patients (p<0.05), but insignificant in macular hole patients (p>0.05). Postoperative OCT findings of 17 eyes showed that they had returned to normal shape and thickness. However, among the 18 eyes that underwent ICG dye-assisted ILM, 3 eyes showed irregular macular thinning and 1 eye showed macular cystic changes. One eye treated with triamcinolone presented with a recurrent cytoid macular edema. No postoperative complications or recurrences were reported by epiretinal membrane patients.

Changes to macular shape did not significantly affect the final BCVA after internal limiting membrane peeling, but they can cause changes to the microstructure of maculae. Therefore, caution during surgery and close follow-up are necessary.