Changes in macular structure after removal of epiretinal membrane in combined hamartomas of the retina and retinal pigment epithelium

This study investigates the effect of epiretinal membrane (ERM) removal in the combined hamartomas of the retina and retinal pigment epithelium (CHRRPE) patients. In this retrospective, comparative case series, 15 CHRRPE patients were included. Six patients received ERM surgery (operation group) and 9 patients were observed (observation group). The differences of age at diagnosis and the severity of ERM were not statistically significant for the operation and observation group at initial diagnosis. The change in central macular thickness (CMT), foveo-papillary distance (FPD) and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were analyzed for both groups at initial and final follow-up visits. In the operation group, CMT significantly decreased (initial 480 ± 151 μm VS final 365 ± 59 μm; P = 0.036), while FPD significantly increased (P = 0.031). BCVA significantly improved at the final follow-up in operation group (P = 0.031). In the observation group, FPD decreased significantly (P = 0.012) and BCVA did not change significantly (P = 0.438). Removal of ERM may be beneficial in normalizing macular anatomy and may be effective in preventing visual deterioration in patients with ERM associated with CHRRPE.