Research Information System
Türkiye Klinikleri Oftalmoloji Dergisi, vol.33, no.1, pp.7-14, 2024 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)
Objective: To determine the significance of the presence of ectopic inner foveal layer (EIFL) in cases with idiopathic epiretinal membrane (iERM). Material and Methods: Optical coherence to- mography (OCT) images of 140 cases with iERM at the initial exami- nation were evaluated. According to their EIFL staging,the cases were divided into four stages. For all cases, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and obtained from OCT measurements, including the central foveal thickness (CFT), central retinal thickness (CRT), maximum reti- nal thickness (MRT), inner nuclear layer (INL) thickness, outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness, inner retinal layer (IRL) thickness,outer retinal layer (ORL) thickness, and ganglion cell layer+inner plexiform layer (GCL+IPL) thicknesses, as well as total photoreceptor length (TPL), photoreceptor outer segment length (PROSL), photoreceptor deformity index (PDI), and inner retinal layer irregularity index (IRLII) were recorded. In cases where the retinal layers were clearly visualized, ORL damage, foveal bulge, and the presence of the cotton ball sign were evaluated. Results: According to EIFL staging, there were 22 cases in Stage 1, 45 cases in Stage 2, 44 cases in Stage 3, and 29 cases in Stage 4. BCVA was higher in Stages 1 and 2 than in Stages 3 and 4 (p<0.001). CFT, CRT, MRT, GCL+IPL thicknesses, and IRL and IRLII values in- creased higher as the EIFL stage increased (p<0.001 for all). INL, ONL, and ORL thicknesses, TPL, PROSL, and PDI were similar between the groups (p>0.05 for all). As the EIFL stage increased, ORL damage and the presence of the cotton ball sign were detected at a higher rate (p<0.001), whereas foveal bulge was observed less frequently (p=0.004). Conclusion: The presence of EIFL is associated with worse visual acuity in cases with iERM. As the EIFL stage increases, IRL thickness and ORL damage become more common.