It can be easy to ignore your eye health until you notice something is wrong. However, given the importance of your eyes and healthy vision, regular eye exams should be part of your overall wellness journey. Unfortunately, some conditions, such as an epiretinal membrane, can impact our eyes long before you know it is a problem. Catching an epiretinal membrane early allows for the best treatment outcomes. In this article, we’ll explore what an epiretinal membrane is, why it forms, and the treatment options available to patients.
What is an Epiretinal Membrane?
An epiretinal membrane (ERM) occurs when a thin layer of cells, called a membrane, begins to form over the retina. The condition may also be called an epiretinal pucker, macular puckers, cellophane maculopathy, preretinal macular fibrosis, or epimacular membrane. The retina sits at the back of the eye and is responsible for translating images into signals for the brain. ERMs can impact any part of the retina, but tend to cause the most trouble when they form on the macula, which is responsible for distinguishing fine detail and recognizing faces.
Symptoms of an Epiretinal Membrane
For most patients, when an epi membrane is forming it will not cause any symptoms initially. As the layer of cells continues to grow, it may cause slight distortions in vision, including:
- Metamorphopsia, which is wavy or distorted vision when viewing shapes that normally appear straight, such as windows, walls, doors, etc.
- Blurry or cloudy vision
- More infrequent symptoms include double vision, light sensitivity, and object size distortion
The Causes of ERM Eye
ERMs can form for a number of reasons, some of which remain unknown. However, some of the most common ones include the following:
- A defect on the surface layer of the retina which allows cells from other parts of the eye to migrate to the retina where they start to form a film, resulting in ERM.
- Aging increases the chances of developing a ERM as the structures in the eye weaken.
- Certain eye conditions may produce ERMs as a secondary condition, including diabetic retinopathy, venous occlusive disease, detached retina, and posterior vitreous detachment, which causes the fluid in the eye to separate from the retina causing visual distortions.
- Trauma to the eye that results in internal damage that may go undetected, trauma can also happen after eye surgery to fix a different condition.
How is an Epiretinal Membrane Diagnosed?
Epiretinal membranes require a diagnosis from an eye doctor, which can happen at a regular eye exam. During a routine eye exam, the doctor will be able to see the distortion in the retina. From there, they may use an Ocular Coherence Tomography (OCT) which is imaging technology that allows the doctor to take a clear picture of the retina. If needed, they may also perform a fluorescein angiography which is the process of injecting a dye in the patient to capture images of the veins and other structures of the eye. Both the OCT ERM and the fluorescein angiography serve to help doctors determine the cause of the ERM, the severity of the condition, and what treatments will be most effective for the patient.
Epiretinal Membrane Treatment Options
The good news about this condition is that not every instance requires treatment. In a lot of cases, the eye doctor will recommend watching the ERM and monitoring vision to ensure it is not deteriorating. However, if the patient’s vision is obstructed or continues to worsen, the only treatment available is a vitrectomy.
A vitrectomy is a surgical procedure that allows doctors to repair retinal detachments, macular holes, and ERMs. During a vitrectomy, the surgeon will make incisions in the white part of the eye to access the vitreous fluid. The fluid will be drained from the eye, allowing the surgeon to better access the retina. From there, the surgeon will carefully remove the ERM, allowing the retina to straighten and relax, returning clear vision to the patient.
The recovery from a vitrectomy is anywhere from 3 months to a year as the patient regains full sight in the impacted eye. The time it takes to recover will depend on the severity of the ERM, previous retinal conditions the patient has had, and the cause of the ERM. While it may sound like a long time, it’s a short amount of time compared to living with an untreated epiretinal membrane that is restricting vision.
Your Path to Clearer Vision Starts Here
An epiretinal membrane is not always a vision-threatening condition, but it should always be checked out by an experienced eye doctor. Since most ERMs are asymptomatic in the early stages, it is best to schedule regular eye exams at the nearest OCLI Vision location. Catching eye conditions early can mean the difference between careful monitoring and invasive surgery. The team at OCLI Vision is exceptional at putting patients at ease and ensuring top-tier eye care.
If you or someone you know is showing signs of an ERM or other eye condition, make an appointment at the nearest OCLI Vision location today!
