BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To identify rates and potential risk factors for epiretinal membrane (ERM) and for membrane peel (MP) after 23- or 25-gauge repair and to compare outcomes for eyes with ERM that underwent MP versus observation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Review of 587 eyes with ERM after retinal detachment repair. Patients who developed ERM either underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and MP or were observed. RESULTS: Preoperatively, the PPV and MP group had a mean best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/100, compared to 20/40 for the observation group (P < .001). The PPV and MP group had a higher mean central subfield mean thickness (CSMT) (414 µm vs 281 µm). In the PPV and MP group, mean BCVA was 20/100 preoperatively and 20/50 postoperatively (P < .01). Mean CSMT was 397.5 µm preoperatively and 282.6 µm postoperatively (P < .01). CONCLUSION: ERM is common after 23- or 25-gauge PPV. PPV and MP can improve BCVA and decrease CSMT.
