To determine risk factors contributing to the development of an epiretinal membrane after retinal detachment surgery.

The authors retrospectively reviewed the records of 294 eyes which underwent retinal detachment surgery between 2001 and 2004. Parameters including numbers and locations of retinal breaks, operation methods and associated abnormalities were compared between the eyes from which a postoperative epiretinal membrane was removed and the eyes from which the membrane was not removed.

Fourteen eyes (4.8%) underwent epiretinal membrane removal during the follow-up period. The mean interval between the retinal reattachment surgery and the vitrectomy for epiretinal membrane was 184 days (range: 50~546 days). Retinal breaks were located superiorly in 12 eyes and inferiorly in 2 eyes. Regarding the number of breaks, 1 break was observed in 9 eyes, 2 breaks in 2 eyes, 3 breaks in 2 eyes and no breaks in 1 eye. Vitreous hemorrhages presented in 7 eyes (50%). Twelve eyes were phakic eyes and 2 were pseudophakic. The macula was detached in 9 eyes (64.3%). Procedures for retinal detachment were vitrectomy with gas tamponade in 8 eyes (57.1%) and scleral buckling with cryoretinopexy in 6 eyes (42.9%).

Preoperative vitreous hemorrhage, superior location of retinal breaks, old age and scleral buckling with cryotherapy were determined to be significant factors for the postoperative development of an epiretinal membrane. Postoperative visual acuity increased in all cases. This study demonstrates that vitrectomy for epiretinal membrane results in an overall favorable functional outcome.