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Epiretinal Membrane

Epiretinal membrane (macular pucker/cellophane maculopathy) is the name given to a form of scar tissue which grows across the macular area of the retina. It is occasionally caused by trauma or inflammation affecting the eye but in the vast majority of cases is related simply to an ageing eye and degeneration of the vitreous gel. Symptoms include blurring of vision and distortion although many membranes are asymptomatic and noted during a routine visit to the optician. In many cases symptoms are only mild and non- progressive with no requirement for surgery.

In a few case the retina is pulled out of position by a contracting membrane with distortion of the retinal vessels often best seen with fluorescein angiography as in the pictures above. If distortion is marked then membranes are usually removed via pars plana vitrectomy surgery as shown below.

Pars Plana Vitrectomy

Per-operative view showing epi-retinal membrane
being removed with micro-forceps