Does traumatic epiretinal membrane surgery trigger choroidal neovascular membrane in patients with choroidal rupture?

Author: Nurettin Bayram (Turkey)

Co-authors: Emine Pangal, Cemal Ozsayili

Purpose

Choroidal rupture typically develops after ocular trauma and may lead to the formation of epiretinal or subretinal membranes. Traumatic epiretinal membranes are thought to originate from retinal glial cells extending to the retinal surface due to tears in the internal limiting membrane due to trauma. In this study, we aimed to present a case of choroidal rupture affecting the macula due to blunt eye trauma and traumatic epiretinal membrane detected during follow-up.

Setting/Venue

Case Report

Methods

We present a 21-year-old male with right eye blunt ocular trauma and choroidal rupture.

Results

The patient had an accident six months ago, slammed a wooden plank in his right eye. The choroidal rupture was detected in this eye at his first examination, and his best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 20/50 in this eye. His left eye was normal. The patient presented with the complaint of decreased vision in the right eye six months later. His right eye BCVA was 20/1000. Anterior segment examination was normal. Retinal examination and OCT findings were consistent with the traumatic epiretinal membrane associated with choroidal rupture. With these findings, epiretinal membrane and internal limiting membrane peeling surgery were performed. There were no complications related to intraoperative or postoperative surgery, and his BCVA was 20/50 in the first week of the postoperative follow-up. The patient developed a choroidal neovascular membrane one month after surgery, and intravitreal therapy was started.

Conlusions

After ocular trauma, patients with choroidal rupture should be regularly monitored for traumatic epiretinal membrane. The surgical approach may be an effective treatment method in cases with the epiretinal membrane, but it may trigger a choroidal neovascular membrane.

Financial Disclosure

The authors declare no potential conflicts and funding sources