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This 58YO male was referred for a retinal detachment in his left eye. He has a long history of idiopathic central serous chorioretinopathy (ICSC). He was previously treated elsewhere for neovascular AMD OD. For many years, he has been receiving intravitreal Avastin OS every 1-2 months. Vision was counting fingers OD and 20/400 OS.
Optos color RG imaging shows bilateral macular scarring with confluent hyperpigmented foveal changes and intraretinal pigment migration, especially in his right eye. Inferior hypopigmented gutters are most obvious on fundus autofluorescence (FAF) as hypo-FAF with surrounding hyper-FAF margins. A rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) occupies the entire left macula. Triton swept-source OCT shows a full-thickness macula hole, active vitreoretinal traction on the temporal edge of the hole, and a macular detachment.
The tractional macular hole with secondary RRD in our patient’s left eye is completely unrelated to his poorly treated ICSC. One month following vitrectomy, vision improved to 20/100. The retina was completely attached, and the macular hole was closed. A meniscus micropyon is adherent to the inferior meniscus of the gas bubble.
Learning Points:
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is currently the standard of care for ICSC with symptomatic acute or chronic subretinal fluid. Unfortunately, Visudyne is rarely available outside the US, which has led to the adoption of unproven therapies, including mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (eplerenone), beta blockers, and intravitreal anti-VEGF agents. Recent meta-analyses and systematic reviews confirm that these alternative therapies are ineffective (Felipe et al Int J Retina Vitreous 2022;8;34 and Kim et al Ophthalmology 2025;132:343-353). Despite the clear lack of efficacy in the literature, specialists both within and outside the US continue to use these drugs (Vankatesh et al Int J Retina Vitreous 2023;9;61). Our patient’s macular findings are a testament to what can happen when proven therapies are ignored.
Russell et al recently reported a unique ophthalmoscopic sign, a meniscus micropyon, that follows PPV with gas tamponade for all causes (Retina 2024;44:1766-1776). Features they noted that distinguish this sterile micropyon from post-PPV fibrin include a delayed appearance, hyperautofluorescence, and absence of anterior chamber or vitreous fibrinous strands/sheets. Vitreous biopsy in two of their cases revealed predominantly white blood cells. The micropyon appearance was associated with epiretinal proliferation (80%). Recurrent RRD from proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) developed 33% of eyes, 12% re-detached without frank PVR, and 18% developed worsening epiretinal membranes.
Our patient’s meniscus micropyon disappeared as the bubble resolved. Three months postoperatively, vision was 20/60, and the retina remained completely reattached without PVR.
J Vitreoretin Dis. 2026 Apr 21:24741264261438472. doi: 10.1177/24741264261438472.
PPV primary ERM At 5-years VA improved regardless of ERM stage. Pre- and postop ectopic inner foveal layer thickness did not correlate with postop VA — Retrospective, 65 eyes
Purpose: To report the long-term outcomes of patients undergoing epiretinal membrane (ERM) removal and validate the staging classification of the ectopic inner foveal layer as a prognostic factor for visual outcomes.
Methods: A multicenter, retrospective, observational study was conducted of patients with an idiopathic ERM who underwent surgical removal and had follow-up of at least 60 months. Biomarkers from preoperative and postoperative spectral-domain optical coherence tomography scans were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed.
Results: Sixty-five eyes from 64 patients with a mean age of 68.1 years were included. Preoperative ERM staging found 9.2% of patients were stage 1, 15.3% stage 2, 50.7% stage 3, and 24.6% stage 4. At 5 years, the mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved from 0.6131 logMAR (Snellen equivalent, 20/82) at baseline to 0.2723 logMAR (Snellen equivalent, 20/37) (unpaired t test; P < .001). The central macular thickness improved from 489 µm at baseline to 347 µm (unpaired t test; P = .001). A final BCVA ≥20/40 was attained by 84.6%, 86.2%, and 47.1% of patients with stage 2, 3, and 4 ERM, respectively. Preoperative ERM staging was associated with preoperative BCVA (1-way analysis of variance [ANOVA]; P = .04) and 5-year postoperative BCVA (1-way ANOVA; P < .001). Preoperative microcystoid macular edema was associated with 5-year postoperative BCVA (unpaired t test; P = .030). The preoperative and postoperative thickness of the ectopic inner foveal layer did not correlate with 5-year postoperative BCVA.
Conclusions: Surgical removal of an idiopathic ERM results in long-standing improvement in BCVA, regardless of ERM stage. Preoperative ectopic inner foveal layer ERM staging assesses preoperative and postoperative BCVA. The preoperative presence of microcystoid macular edema was associated with a poorer postoperative BCVA.
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