The significance of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in idiopathic epiretinal membrane

To assess the levels of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in patients with idiopathic epiretinal membrane (iERM) and to compare the NLR results of patients with iERM and healthy controls. This retrospective study enrolled 43 patients with iERM and 40 healthy subjects. Complete ophthalmologic examination and complete blood count measurements were performed of all subjects. Complete blood counts were performed within 2 h of blood collection. There was a significant difference in NLR between iERM and control groups (p <0.01). The receiver operating characteristics analysis revealed that the value of NLR to distinguish patients with iERM and controls was found to be 0.832. The best cutoff value was 1.90, with a sensitivity of 72% and specificity 70%. Our study for the first time provides evidence that subclinical systemic inflammation may cause or at least accompanies iERM using a novel biomarker NLR.