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

Summary

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.

Conditions

• Epiretinal Membrane

Interventions

DEVICE

Slit lamp examination

The slit lamp is an instrument consisting of a high-intensity light source that can be focused to shine a thin sheet of light into the eye.Examination performed without pupil dilatation.

DEVICE

Undilated 7-field color fundus photography

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.

DEVICE

Color scan

Multicolor photo. 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.

DEVICE

Spectral domain optical coherence tomography

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.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Laurence Postelmans

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Laurence Postelmans, MD · CHU Brugmann

Eligibility

Min Age

15 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2017-12-12

Primary Completion

2019-10-10

Completion

2019-10-10

Countries

• Belgium

Study Locations