RESUMO
PURPOSE: To report the clinical course and outcome of surgery for idiopathic epiretinal membranes (ERMs) centered on retinal blood vessels. METHODS: Retrospective observational case series review of the case records of 15 patients with idiopathic ERMs overlying retinal blood vessels, of whom 9 underwent vitrectomy with membrane peeling. The patients attended two eye departments under the care of four vitreoretinal surgeons with a total of more than 50 years of surgical experience. RESULTS: The patients were aged 12-74 years (mean = 34.3 years). Difficulties were experienced in achieving vitreoretinal and membranoretinal separation in the 9 eyes undergoing vitreous microsurgery. Recurrent ERM formation occurred in 8 of these eyes (89%) of which 6 underwent revision vitrectomy. Visual improvement was achieved in 55% of patients. Mean follow-up was 2.5 years. CONCLUSIONS: The authors describe a subgroup of patients with idiopathic ERMs in which the membrane is centered over a large retinal vessel. This occurs predominantly but not exclusively in a young age group. Surgical removal is characterized by a high recurrence rate.