Effect of surgery on quality of life in patients with epiretinal membrane

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of surgical treatment on quality of life (QOL) in patients with epiretinal membrane (EM). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 48 patients who underwent surgical treatment for EM were examined. QOL was assessed with the VFQ-25 questionnaire before and after the surgery (at 1 week and 6 months). RESULTS: Before the surgery the total QOL index was significantly decreased by an average of 25% as compared with the controls (p<0.001). In the late postoperative period there was a progressive increase in the total index of QOL up to the level of the control group (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Vitrectomy surgery improves visual functions and quality of life in patients with epiretinal membrane.