EPIRETINAL MEMBRANE/MACULAR PUCKER
Epiretinal membrane (ERM) is a fairly common pucker condition found in people over age 50 years. Many ERMs are discovered incidentally during routine eye examination.
What are the symptoms?
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Decreased vision or loss of central vision
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Distorted or blurred vision
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Double vision
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Wavy vision
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Problems reading small print
What are the causes?
A thin sheet of fibrous tissue forms on the macula (which is the focusing part of the eye) and presents a film which is harder for you to see through. The film can contract which can pull on the retina and cause puckering which can distort your vision.
“This image was originally published in the Retina Image Bank® website.4
Author: Hamed Ahmadieh, MD. Photographer: Naghmeh Nozhat. Macular Pucker, Retina Image Bank. 2013; 10449. © the American Society of Retina Specialists."
It is associated with natural changes to the vitreous gel inside the eye. Cell changes are released and eventually settle on the macula where they form a membrane.
What treatments can we offer?
In more milder cases treatment will generally be unnecessary, especially if it has very little or no effect on your vision. In more difficult cases then epiretinal surgery will be offered in order to remove the membrane and restore vision. It may take a few weeks for improvements to be noticed to your vision.
The Annan Retina Eye Center can offer mainstay treatments for symptomatic ERM such as surgical removal of the ERM using small-gauge vitrectomy and use of intraocular dyes to stain the ERM and facilitate peeling.
The Annan Retina Eye Center can offer treatment for Epiretinal Membrane please schedule a visit with Dr El Annan at the Annan Retina Eye Center. Please call 346-22A-NNAN to speak to a member of staff who will be more than happy to help you
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