Epiretinal membrane

Epiretinal Membrane

Epiretinal membrane (pronunciation: epi-retinal membrane), also known as macular pucker or cellophane maculopathy, is a condition of the eye characterized by a semi-transparent, fibrous tissue that forms on the surface of the retina, specifically the macula. The condition can lead to visual distortion and loss of detail or clarity (metamorphopsia).

Etymology

The term "epiretinal" is derived from the Greek "epi-" meaning "upon" or "over", and "retinal" referring to the retina, the light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the inner eye. "Membrane" is from the Latin "membrana" meaning a thin layer or sheet.

Symptoms

Symptoms of an epiretinal membrane can vary from none to severe, depending on the extent of the membrane and its contraction. Common symptoms include blurred vision, distorted vision (metamorphopsia), and difficulty reading small print or performing tasks that require detailed vision.

Causes

The exact cause of epiretinal membrane is unknown, but it is often associated with vitreous detachment, retinal tear or retinal detachment, inflammatory diseases of the eye, and trauma to the eye. It is more common in people over the age of 50.

Treatment

Treatment for epiretinal membrane typically involves vitrectomy, a surgical procedure to remove the vitreous gel from the middle of the eye to allow the surgeon to access the back of the eye and peel away the membrane. This is often combined with membrane peeling, a procedure to remove the epiretinal membrane.

Related Terms

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Epiretinal membrane
Wikipedia's article - Epiretinal membrane

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Epiretinal membrane