Fatih Bilgehan KAPLAN, Abdulkadir KÜÇÜK
Turkish Journal of Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology - 2026;21(1):18-24
Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), either alone or combined with cataract surgery, on corneal densitometry (CD) in patients with epiretinal membrane (ERM). Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 64 patients who underwent PPV for ERM. Patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 (n=30) underwent combined PPV and cataract surgery, while Group 2 (n=34) underwent PPV alone. CD measurements in concentric annular zones (0-2 mm, 2-6 mm, 6-10 mm, 10-12 mm) and total values were obtained preoperatively and at the first postoperative month using the Pentacam system. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCV A) and CD changes were analyzed. Results: Significant improvement in BCV A was observed in both groups postoperatively. In Group 1, CD values significantly increased in the 0-2 mm and 2-6 mm zones at 1 month (p=0.006 and p=0.028, respectively). No significant CD changes were observed in Group 2 (p>0.05). Preoperative total CD and 10-12 mm zone values were significantly higher in males (p=0.011 and p=0.012, respectively). Patients aged 69 years and older had significantly higher corneal optical density in the 2-6 mm zone and total measurements (p<0.05). Conclusion: CD significantly increased after combined PPV and cataract surgery, whereas no significant changes were observed after PPV alone. As no previous study has reported densitometric outcomes for PPV alone, this study provides valuable preliminary data.
