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1From the Department of Preventive Medicine, the 3Doheny Eye Institute, and the 4Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California; and the 2Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin.
| Abstract |
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METHODS. The Los Angeles Latino Eye Study (LALES) is a population-based study of eye disease among Latinos aged 40 or more years. Complete ophthalmic examinations included stereoscopic fundus photography. Masked photographic grading was used to identify and classify ERMs as cellophane macular reflex (CMR) without retinal folds or preretinal macular fibrosis (PMF) with folds.
RESULTS. Of the 6142 persons examined at the clinic, 5982 (97%) had gradable retinal photographs. The mean age of the participants was 54.7 ± 10.7 years; 58% were women. ERMs were present in 18.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 17.5%19.5%) of the participants. Of the participants with ERMs, 19.9% had bilateral ERMs. The prevalence of ERMs increased from 10.1% in persons 40 to 49 years of age to 35.7% in those aged 70 to 79 years and was 22.5% in persons aged 80 years or more. The prevalence was similar in men and women. CMR was present in 16.3% (95% CI: 15.3%17.2%) and PMF in 2.2% (95% CI: 1.9%2.6%). Retinal folds involved the fovea in 11% of PMF cases. On average, eyes with central PMF had poorer visual acuity than did eyes without (P < 0.0002). Epiretinal membranes (ERMs) were present in 71% of eyes with macular holes. ERMs were also more common in individuals who had undergone cataract surgery (39.9%), those with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (25.7%), and those with any retinal disease (27.5%).
CONCLUSIONS. ERMs occur frequently in Latinos, often bilaterally. The associations of ERMs with proliferative retinopathy, retinal lesions, macular holes, and cataract surgery were confirmed. Central PMF is associated with reduced visual acuity.
The early form of ERM, sometimes termed cellophane macular reflex (CMR),12 13 is usually asymptomatic. However, the more severe form, known as preretinal macular fibrosis (PMF)1 3 6 7 13 14 or macular pucker,5 8 15 can cause significant loss of visual acuity and visual symptoms such as distortion and metamorphopsia16 by tangential traction in the macula area. Abnormal retinal vascular tortuosity may be seen at the posterior pole with fluorescein angiography.17 18 In very severe cases, macular edema and retinal detachment have been known to occur.2 19 20
Known associations with ERMs include intraocular surgery and various retinal disorders such as retinal detachment and breaks, retinal vein occlusions and diabetic retinopathy.4 6 7 12 13 21 They have been termed idiopathic1 2 3 12 13 14 when they occur after posterior vitreous detachment without the presence of other known secondary associations.
ERMs are common in older whites.12 13 However, there are only two previous population-based studies documenting the prevalence of ERMs in whites, in which photographic masked grading was used.12 13 Further, to our knowledge, there have been no reports of their prevalence in other racial groups. The Los Angeles Latino Eye Study (LALES) was designed to provide population-based prevalence estimates of eye disorders in Latinos. Data were collected between 2000 and 2003, including stereoscopic retinal photographs, which provided the opportunity to obtain prevalence estimates of ERMs among Latinos and their associated risk factors.
| Methods |
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Interview and Examination Procedures
A detailed home interview was conducted to determine demographic factors and information regarding ocular and medical histories, various risk factors, and access to medical and ocular care. All eligible Latinos were invited to visit a local eye examination center for a comprehensive ocular examination by a trained ophthalmologist and technicians using standardized protocols. Visual acuity for each LALES participant was measured using standard Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) protocols with a modified ETDRS distance chart23 transilluminated with a chart illuminator (Precision Vision, La Salle, IL). Automated refraction was performed (Humphrey Autorefractor Model 599; Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA), followed by subjective refraction, using standard protocols. Lens opacification was graded at the slit lamp by a trained ophthalmologist according to the Lens Opacities Classification System II (LOCS II).24 Pseudophakia and aphakia were also documented during the slit lamp examination. The ophthalmic examination included 30° stereoscopic color retinal photographs (Topcon TRC 50EX; Topcon Corp. of America, Paramus, NJ) of Diabetic Retinopathy Study fields25 1 (optic disc) and 2 (macula) and a modified field 3 (temporal to macula) in all participants. Slide film was used (Ektachrome 100; Eastman Kodak, Rochester, NY).
Grading
ERMs were diagnosed with masked photographic grading by trained graders. The site of the ERM was classified by using a grid with an outer radius of 3000 µm, corresponding to the anatomic macula, and an inner radius of 500 µm, which was placed over one of the stereo pair when grading.
Definitions
The presence of diabetes was defined by a self-reported history of diabetes, and/or hemoglobin A1c greater than 7.0%, and/or random glucose greater than 200 mg/dL. Hypertension was defined as having a history of hypertension or elevated blood pressure when measured in the clinic (diastolic blood pressure greater than 85 mmHg or systolic blood pressure greater 140 mmHg). Refractive error was defined by spherical equivalent (sphere + cylinder/2) in diopters. Applanation intraocular pressure (Goldmann) was measured. After agreement by two of three glaucoma specialists, glaucoma was diagnosed by the presence of a characteristic glaucomatous optic disc (seen on stereophotographs) and by visual field changes.
Classification of ERMs
Two types of ERMs were identified adopted from Klein et al.12 The first or earlier stage consisted of a CMR only, described as a patch or patches of irregular increased reflection from the inner surface of the retina. The second stage, PMF, a more severe form, occurs as the membrane thickens and contracts, becoming opaque and gray with the appearance of superficial retinal folds or traction lines.1 Subjects with both CMR and PMF were allocated to the PMF group. ERMs were evaluated to determine whether there was involvement of the center point of the fovea.
ERMs were further classified as primary (or idiopathic) and secondary. Primary or idiopathic ERMs were those present in subjects without a secondary cause for the development of ERMs. Secondary ERMs were defined as those occurring in eyes in the presence of such conditions as retinal vascular disease, retinal detachment, and cataract surgery. Retinal vein occlusion was present in 58 subjects, proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) in 74, and a history or signs of retinal detachment in 36.
Data Handling and Statistical Methods
Data were entered into an automated database (Access-98; Microsoft, Redmond, WA) with internal automated quality control checks. Commercial statistical analysis software (Statistical Analysis System, ver. 8; SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC) was used for tabulations and statistical analyses. Statistical analysis of the data included frequency distributions,
2 analyses, t-tests, and logistic regression analyses. In the logistic regression, age, intraocular pressure, and spherical equivalent were used as continuous variables, whereas glaucoma, early age-related maculopathy, hypertension, smoking, and diabetes were used as dichotomous variables. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) are reported.
| Results |
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Of the 6142 in-clinicexamined participants, 5982 (97%) had photographs in at least one eye that were considered gradable for ERMs. Among the 160 participants excluded were 104 individuals who had no photographs taken, 31 whose photographs were considered ungradable because of poor photograph quality or dense media opacities, and 25 with late age-related macular degeneration (exudative or geographic atrophy) in one or both eyes, which was thought to confound the grading of ERMs. The mean age of participants included in the analyses was 54.7 ± 10.7 years and 58% were women (Fig. 1) .
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Primary and Secondary ERMs
The age-specific prevalences of primary (idiopathic) and secondary ERMs are presented in Table 3 . When stratified by the presence or absence of lens opacities, primary (idiopathic) ERMs were less common in those with lens opacities. Secondary ERMs were more prevalent than primary (idiopathic) ERMs in all age groups. The prevalence of secondary ERMs were further stratified by cause, including any retinal disease, PDR, and cataract surgery (Table 4) . The highest prevalence of CMR was found in participants who had undergone cataract surgery (32.3%). The highest prevalence of PMF was seen in those with PDR (13.5%). After age-adjustment, PMF was more frequent in persons with retinal disease (OR: 2.7; 95% CI: 1.25.7), PDR (OR: 5.2; 95% CI: 2.610.7), and post cataract surgery (OR: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.13.4). Full-thickness macular holes were seen in seven eyes from seven persons. In five persons (71%), they were associated with an ERM in the same eye (four with PMF and three with CMR).
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| Discussion |
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The grading of ERMs in our study was similar to that in the Beaver Dam Eye Study and Blue Mountains Eye Study, with the same definitions of early and late lesions used. Further, the LALES fundus photographs were graded by masked graders at the Ocular Epidemiology Grading Center at the University of Wisconsin (Madison, WI), who were trained by graders from the Beaver Dam Eye Study. Thus, due to similar methods we are able to compare our data with those in the Beaver Dam and Blue Mountains studies.12 13 Similar to these studies, the prevalence of ERMs was higher in older than in younger Latinos and most of these ERMs were of the early form (CMR). The prevalence of ERMs in Latinos (18.5%) was higher than rates found in whites in the Beaver Dam Eye Study (11.8%) and the Blue Mountains Eye Study (7%). One explanation for this may have been the higher prevalence of diabetes in our population (because a significant association has been reported13 ). However, although we found a relationship with PDR, no significant association with history of diabetes or diagnosis of diabetes at the examination was present after age-adjustment. Although this higher prevalence of ERMs may represent a true difference, we cannot exclude the possibility that the CMR is more readily visible against the slightly more pigmented fundus of Latinos and that this difference leads to systematic differences in grading. Further evidence of a grading difference is the similarity in the prevalence of later ERMs with retinal folds (PMF), being 2.2% in our group compared with 2.8% in the Beaver Dam12 and 2.2% in the Blue Mountains13 eye studies. The diagnosis of PMF is less likely to be subject to grading differences because of the presence of retinal folds.
The bilateral tendency of ERMs has been described.12 13 ERMs commonly occur after vitreous detachment, which is frequently bilateral. Incident ERMs were more than twice as frequent in second eyes in the Blue Mountains than those without the lesion at baseline.14 Our rate of bilaterality of 19.9% was similar to that found in both the Beaver Dam and Blue Mountains eye studies (19.5% and 31%, respectively). CMR was more than seven times more prevalent than PMF and was twice as likely to occur bilaterally than PMF (21.3% vs. 11.1%).
Our study confirmed the association of ERMs with previously reported risk factors, such as cataract surgery, PDR, and retinal lesions. Cataract surgery was associated with ERMs, especially the earlier form (CMR).7 8 13 14 21 It is possible that ERMs are more commonly visible after cataract surgery, because lens opacification may obscure their detection before surgery. Further, the timing of the incidence of ERMs relative to the cataract surgery is not known in our study. Similarly, the lower prevalence of ERMs in the oldest age group (80 years and older) may be from grading difficulties or represent a survivor effect. This same reduction in prevalence in older individuals was reported in the Beaver Dam and Blue Mountains eye studies.
The association of the more severe form of ERM (PMF) with PDR and other retinal lesions was confirmed in our study, supporting other reports.5 6 7 12 13 ERMs are reported to coexist commonly with macular holes. We found the prevalence of macular holes to be 0.1% in our population of Latinos. Most macular holes were associated with an ERM (71%). We cannot comment on whether ERMs preceded these lesions. No other significant systemic or ocular associations were found with PMF or with CMR after age adjustment. In particular, we found no association with diabetes in contrast to the Blue Mountains Eye Study.
Only PMF was associated with a small, but significant reduction in visual acuity after age adjustment and only if it involved the center of the fovea. This was consistent with the Beaver Dam and Blue Mountains studies.12 13 Central PMF occurred in only 11% of all PMF cases, equating to an overall prevalence of 0.2%. Therefore, there did not appear to be a significant effect of ERMs on visual acuity in our population. A limitation of our study is that there was no information available on the proportion of people with ERMs with metamorphopsia (neither on history nor on Amsler grid testing).
In summary, as in whites, ERMs are common retinal lesions among Latinos. The earlier form, CMR, may be more prevalent in Latinos than in whites, but the more severe form, PMF is equally prevalent. ERMs were associated with cataract surgery, and the more severe form, PMF, occurred more frequently with retinal lesions, such as diabetic retinopathy and retinal detachment. They also were found in most eyes with macular holes. On average, central PMF had only a minor effect on vision, while noncentral PMF and CMR had no effect on visual acuity.
| Appendix |
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Battelle Survey Research Center, St. Louis, MO: Sonia Chico, BS; Lisa John, MSW; Michael Preciado, BA; and Karen Tucker, MA
Ocular Epidemiology Grading Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI: Ronald Klein, MD, MPH; Stacy M. Meuer; Michael Neider; Tiffany Jan; Sandy C. Tomany MS; Michael Knudtson MA; Karl Jensen; Carol Hoyer; Andy Ewen; Maria Swift; Anne Mosher; and Ellen Hall.
| Acknowledgements |
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| Footnotes |
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Supported by National Institutes of Health Grants U10-EY-11753 and EY-03040 and an unrestricted grant from Research to Prevent Blindness, New York, New York. RV is a Research to Prevent Blindness Sybil B. Harrington Scholar.
Submitted for publication November 26, 2003; revised January 8, 2004; accepted January 15, 2004.
Disclosure: S. Fraser-Bell, None; M. Ying-Lai, None; R. Klein, None; R. Varma, None
The publication costs of this article were defrayed in part by page charge payment. This article must therefore be marked "advertisement" in accordance with 18 U.S.C.
1734 solely to indicate this fact.
Corresponding author: Rohit Varma, Doheny Eye Institute, Suite 4803, 1450 San Pablo Street, Los Angeles, CA 90089-9224; rvarma{at}usc.edu.
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