Unveiling the limitations of OCT-based classification in diabetic epiretinal membranes: a call for integrative vascular and structural assessment with OCT-A.

Purpose: Govetto's optical coherence tomography (OCT)-based staging system is widely used for idiopathic epiretinal membranes (ERMs), but its applicability to diabetic ERMs remains unclear. Given the distinct microvascular pathology in diabetes, this study evaluated the system's applicability in diabetic ERMs and compared structural and vascular features of diabetic and idiopathic ERMs using OCT and OCT-angiography (OCT-A).

Methods: This retrospective study included 142 eyes with diabetic ERM, idiopathic ERM, and healthy controls. All subjects underwent comprehensive ophthalmic examination, OCT, and OCT-A imaging. ERMs were staged using Govetto et al.'s classification. Correlations between visual acuity (VA), ERM stage, OCT metrics, and OCT-A parameters were analyzed. The macular vessel density ratio (MVR) was also calculated.

Results: Ectopic inner foveal layer (EIFL), microcystoid changes, and retinal layer thicknesses were comparable across stages, with EIFL increasing as stages advanced in both groups. EIFL and outer foveal thickness showed no significant group differences, but EIFL was consistently thinner in diabetic cases. Diabetic ERMs had lower vessel densities (VD) and significantly reduced choriocapillaris flow area. Only in the diabetic group were strong correlations observed between outer retinal layer values and VD, as well as between VA, choriocapillaris flow, retinal thickness, and deep macular VD.

Conclusion: Although Govetto's OCT-based classification aligns with structural progression in both ERM types, it does not reflect the vascular alterations seen in diabetic ERMs. These findings suggest that structural staging alone may be insufficient in diabetic cases. Awareness of vascular differences and integration of OCT-A parameters may improve interpretation and guide prognosis in diabetic ERMs.