The prevalence of epiretinal membrane in pseudoexfoliation and primary open-angle glaucoma and its association with choroidal thickness.

PURPOSE: We aim to assess epiretinal membrane (ERM) prevalence in pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PXG) and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) eyes and examine its correlation with choroidal thickness (CT) in these individuals.

METHODS

In this retrospective, observational study, we examined 165 eyes of 94 PXG patients, 157 eyes of 82 POAG patients, and 150 eyes of 75 healthy individuals. We conducted a comprehensive ophthalmological assessment, including measurements of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, central macular thickness (CMT), and macular CT using swept-source optical coherence tomography. We also evaluated and categorized posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) presence. ERM staging was performed for eyes with ERM. Lastly, we analyzed the association between ERM presence and CT across all groups.

RESULTS

BCVA and mean RNFL were lower in PXG and POAG groups compared to controls (both p < 0.001). Mean CMT was significantly thinner in PXG versus controls (p < 0.001) and POAG (p = 0.002). ERM prevalence was higher in POAG versus controls and highest in PXG versus both groups. PVD was least in controls, more in POAG, and most in PXG. In PXG with ERM, temporal and nasal CT were higher (p = 0.022, p = 0.016). In the POAG subgroup, eyes receiving prostaglandin analogue therapy had significantly greater subfoveal CT (SFCT) compared with those not undergoing this treatment (p = 0.032).

CONCLUSION

According to our study, CMT is thinner in PXG eyes. ERM and PVD frequencies increase in POAG and PXG, with higher prevalence in PXG. PXG eyes with ERM exhibit increased nasal and temporal choroidal thickness, and in POAG eyes receiving prostaglandin analogue therapy, SFCT is higher compared to those not receiving this treatment.