{
  "abstract": "Prophylactic treatment of lattice degeneration with laser photocoagulation remains controversial. We evaluated whether prophylactic laser for lattice degeneration increases epiretinal membrane (ERM) risk. In a retrospective cohort (2005–2025), patients receiving laser within 90 days of lattice diagnosis were classified as exposed; untreated patients served as controls and were matched 3:1. ERM within 10 years was analysed using Fine–Gray competing-risk models (death as competing event). ERM occurred in 38/321 (11.8%) laser-treated versus 53/944 (5.6%) untreated patients (sHR=2.50, 95% CI 1.65 to 3.79; p<0.001). Prophylactic laser was associated with higher ERM risk, warranting careful consideration of its risk–benefit profile.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Ophthalmology, Mass Eye and Ear, Boston, Massachusetts, USA",
        "Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA"
      ],
      "name": "Maria Anna Bantounou"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Ophthalmology, Mass Eye and Ear, Boston, Massachusetts, USA",
        "Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA"
      ],
      "name": "Marta Stevanovic"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Ophthalmology, Mass Eye and Ear, Boston, Massachusetts, USA",
        "Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA"
      ],
      "name": "Demetrios G Vavvas"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Epiretinal membrane formation risk after prophylactic laser photocoagulation for lattice degeneration: a retrospective cohort study",
  "uid": "d0f72144-0ff5-527d-8c35-18b330da069a"
}