Impact of intravitreal triamcinolone injection following epiretinal membrane peeling on ectopic inner foveal layer classification

Abstract

Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the impact of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (TA) administration after peeling of idiopathic epiretinal membranes (iERM) on both anatomical and visual outcomes, utilizing the ectopic inner foveal layer (EIFL) staging scheme. Methods In this retrospective case-control study, we analyzed 43 eyes from 43 patients diagnosed with iERM between June 2019 and December 2021. All participants were categorized into the TA or control groups based on administering intravitreal TA injection following ERM peeling. We thoroughly reviewed the clinical data, including the preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central foveal thickness (CFT), and macular cube volume (VOL), with ERM stages classified according to the EIFL staging scheme. Results The study enrolled 22 eyes in the TA and 21 in the control groups. Following a mean follow-up period of 11.07 ± 2.02 months, noteworthy improvements in EIFL stages were observed in both cohorts ( p < 0.01), but without significant distinctions between groups. In the TA group, 63.64% of eyes demonstrated improvements in EIFL stages, while the control group exhibited 76.19% ( p = 0.37). At the final visit, both groups experienced a noteworthy reduction in the postoperative CFT and VOL ( p < 0.05), coupled with significant improvement in BCVA ( p < 0.01). No substantial differences appeared between the two groups concerning BCVA, CFT, and VOL (all p > 0.05). Conclusions Our study suggested that concurrent intravitreal TA injection following ERM removal did not provide additional benefits regarding anatomical and visual improvement in iERM cases classified as Stages 2 and 3.