To present preoperative macular structure deformities and surgical outcomes in idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM) patient according to the presence of vitreomacular traction syndrome (VMTS).

This retrospective observational study included 54 eyes of 51 patients with idiopathic ERM, who underwent pars plana vitrectomy with ERM and internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling, and were followed for more than 6 months. Subjects were classified into 2 groups according to the presence of VMTS using preoperative optical coherence tomography (group 1: ERM without VMTS, 29 eyes; group 2: ERM with VMTS, 22 eyes). Preoperative macular structure deformity and surgical outcomes were compared and prognostic factors were analyzed.

Group 1 (ERM without VMTS) included 29 eyes, and group 2 (ERM with VMTS) included 22 eyes. Group 2 had a significantly higher occurrence of lamellar macular hole and a significantly lower preoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) compared to group 1. However, final postoperative BCVAs were not significantly different between the groups because BCVA changed more in group 2. Preoperative macular structure deformities (irregular retinal surface, retinal thickening, lamellar macular hole, and cystoid macular edema) did not affect visual outcomes. The presence of photoreceptor inner segment/outer segment (IS/OS) junction disruption and preoperative BCVA were highly related with visual outcomes.

BCVA significantly improved in idiopathic ERM patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy with ERM and ILM peeling regardless of the presence of VMTS. There may be a stronger association of IS/OS junction disruption with visual acuity compared to VMTS in idiopathic ERM surgery.