Correlation of retinal sensitivity with visual acuity and macular thickness in eyes with idiopathic epimacular membrane

The aim of this study was to analyze macular function by measuring the sensitivity of the macula with fundus-related microperimetry and to compare the results with the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and foveal retinal thickness measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT) in patients with idiopathic epimacular membrane. We prospectively reviewed 66 eyes with idiopathic epimacular membrane and 35 normal healthy eyes in patients who had undergone fundus-related microperimetry and OCT. The macular sensitivity was measured using the recently introduced fundus-related microperimeter, MP-1. The mean retinal sensitivities in the central 10° (central microperimetry, cMP-1) and in the paracentral 10–20° (paracentral microperimetry, pMP-1) areas were determined and correlated with the BCVA and OCT-measured foveal thickness. Eyes with epimacular membranes showed significantly lower log MAR BCVA (P < 0.001) and cMP-1 microperimetry sensitivity (P < 0.001) and significantly higher OCT foveal thickness (P < 0.001) than control eyes. There was a significant correlation between the BCVA and mean retinal sensitivity in the cMP-1 (r ² = 0.26, P < 0.001) and the pMP-1 (r ² = 0.07, P = 0.008) areas. A significant negative correlation was observed between the foveal thickness and the mean retinal sensitivity in the cMP-1 (r ² = 0.13, P < 0.001) area. Retinal sensitivity in the central macular area determined by MP-1 microperimetry was significantly correlated with BCVA and with foveal thickness. The combination of OCT and microperimetry may help a better evaluation of the patients with idiopathic epimacular membrane.