Prevalence and Risk Factors of Epiretinal Membrane in Diabetic and Non-diabetic Patients

Laurence Postelmans200 enrolled

Overview

Numerous terms have been used to describe epiretinal membrane (ERM): macular pucker, epimacular membrane, surface-wrinkling retinopathy, cellophane maculopathy and preretinal macular fibrosis. It is, by definition, a fibrocellular tissue found on the inner surface of the retina. It is semi-translucent and proliferates on or above the surface of the internal limiting membrane. It causes blurring and metamorphopsia, while mild cases are often asymptomatic. ERM presence can degrade the acuity and the quality of vision, thus affecting the quality of life. There is evidence that it also has an adverse impact to the treatment options for patients suffering from macular disorders. More specifically, regarding to diabetic retinopathy, ERM seems to have a bidirectional etiopathogenetic relationship with its course and complications. The aim of this study is to know the prevalence of ERM in the Brussel's population, the risk factors predisposing to ERM formation and if diabetic patients have a significantly higher prevalence of ERM in comparison to general population.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

200

Conditions

Epiretinal Membrane

Interventions

Slit lamp examinationDEVICE

Undilated 7-field color fundus photographyDEVICE

Undilated 7-field color fundus photography with Cobra fundus camera. The examination will be done without pupil dilatation; but in case of very small pupils one drop of tropicamide will be instilled, after anterior segment observation with the slit lamp. Two ophthalmologists will assess fundus photos and OCT (Spectral domain optical coherence tomography) frames, to determine whether or not an ERM is present.

Spectral domain optical coherence tomographyDEVICE

Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) with Heidelberg Retina Tomography device. The examination will be done without pupil dilatation; but in case of very small pupils one drop of tropicamide will be instilled, after anterior segment observation with the slit lamp.Two ophthalmologists will assess fundus photos and OCT frames, to determine whether or not an ERM is present.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 15 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: -Subjects examined in the general or diabetes screening consultations of the Ophthalmology Department of the CHU Brugmann Hospital Exclusion Criteria: * Women pregnant or breast-feeding * Hypersensitivity to tropicamide * Any macular pathology other than diabetic maculopathy * Prior retinal photocoagulation * Prior intravitreal injection * Prior retinal surgery