Surgery of the idiopathic epimacular membrane on transconjunctival 25-gauge vitrectomy (TSV): a series of 50 cases

The surgery of the idiopathic epimacular membrane has gained from the advent of 25-gauge transconjunctival vitrectomy (TSV) initiated by Fujii in 2002. In this retrospective study, we tested 50 patients operated on for epimacular membrane with 25-gauge TSV at the Quinze-Vingts National Ophthalmology Hospital in Paris from December 2004 to June 2006. No postoperative endophthalmitis, major hypotonia, or sclerotomy leakage were observed. However, two cases (4%) of retinal detachment and 47% postoperative cataract were noted at 3 months. After evolving 3 months later, distant and close visual acuity were significantly improved. TSV appears to be a useful method for epimacular membrane ablation.