Visual field changes after vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling for epiretinal membrane or macular hole in glaucomatous eyes.

PURPOSE: To investigate visual field changes after vitrectomy for macular diseases in glaucomatous eyes.

METHODS: A retrospective review of 54 eyes from 54 patients with glaucoma, who underwent vitrectomy for epiretinal membrane (ERM; 42 eyes) or macular hole (MH; 12 eyes). Standard automated perimetry (Humphrey visual field 24-2 program) was performed and analyzed preoperatively and twice postoperatively (1st and 2nd sessions; 4.7 ± 2.5, 10.3 ± 3.7 months after surgery, respectively). Postoperative visual field sensitivity at each test point was compared with the preoperative value. Longitudinal changes in mean visual field sensitivity (MVFS) of the 12 test points within 10° eccentricity (center) and the remaining test points (periphery), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), and ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness, and the association of factors with changes in central or peripheral MVFS over time were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models. In addition, 45 eyes from 45 patients without glaucoma who underwent vitrectomy for epiretinal membrane (ERM; 34 eyes) or macular hole (MH; 11 eyes) were similarly examined and statistically analyzed (control group).

RESULTS: In glaucomatous eyes, visual field test points changed significantly and reproducibly; two points deteriorated only at the center and twelve points improved only at the periphery. Central MVFS decreased (p = 0.03), whereas peripheral MVFS increased postoperatively (p = 0.010). In the control group, no visual field test points showed deterioration, and central MVFS did not change significantly after vitrectomy. BCVA improved, GCC thickness decreased, and IOP did not change postoperatively in both groups. The linear mixed-effects models identified older age, systemic hypertension, longer axial length, and preoperative medication scores of ≥2 as risk factors for central MVFS deterioration in glaucomatous eyes.

CONCLUSIONS: Visual field sensitivity within 10° eccentricity may deteriorate after vitrectomy for ERM or MH in glaucomatous eyes.