To evaluate the clinical outcomes of visual acuity and foveal thickness after vitrectomy for an idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM).

We retrospectively reviewed the records of 62 patients (62 eyes) with ERM who had been treated with vitrectomy between 2004 and 2009. Visual acuity and central macular thickness from optical coherence tomography imaging were obtained preoperatively and at every postoperative follow-up visit.

Mean preoperative visual acuity and central macular thickness were 0.495 ± 0.292 log MAR and 414.645 ± 95.528 µm, respectively. Mean visual acuity and central macular thickness 1 month after surgery were 0.389 ± 0.373 log MAR and 341.484 ± 73.676 µm, respectively. Visual acuity improved within 9 months and central macular thickness significantly decreased 12 months after surgery. Most of the changes in visual acuity and central macular thickness took place during the first 3 months. The only parameter which was significantly correlated with final visual acuity was preoperative visual acuity (0.635) ( p < 0.001).

Visual acuity and central macular thickness improved 12 months months after vitrectomy in patients with idiopathic ERM. Preoperative visual acuity had a significant correlation with final visual acuity.