The aim of this study was to evaluate
ganglion cell layer and nerve fiber layer thickness after
Brilliant Blue G (BBG)-assisted internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling for vitreomacular disorders. Retrospective analysis of spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) of 42 eyes of 42 patients, who underwent pars plana
vitrectomy with BBG-assisted ILM peeling, was performed. Inclusion criteria were idiopathic
macular hole, idiopathic vitreomacular
traction, and idiopathic
epiretinal membrane. Key exclusion criteria were vitreoretinal interface abnormalities secondary to any other diseases, follow-up period of less than 3 months, and any other associated
retinal pathology. Average, minimum, and sectoral
ganglion cell, and inner plexiform layers (GCIPL) and
retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) parameters were collected. Changes in these parameters from baseline to 3- and 6-month visits after surgery were analyzed. At 3 months after surgery, we found a statistically significant reduction in the average GCIPL thickness (P = 0.031) and also in the superior sectors (P < 0.05) compared to the baseline values. A similar reduction was observed in the minimum RNFL thickness (P = 0.028) as well as in the superior sectoral RNFL thickness (P < 0.05). In 14 eyes with 6 months of follow-up, a similar statistically significant thinning of the GCIPL and RNFL was observed. However, the difference between the 3-month and 6-month values was not statistically significant (P = 0.679). BBG-assisted ILM peeling for vitreomacular interface disorders leads to thinning of the inner retina including GCIPL and RNFL. These structural changes should be correlated with
retinal function tests to explore the pros and cons of this surgical step.