The retina of the eye is a layer of nerve cells that detects light coming from outside and transmits it to the brain. If we compare the eye to a camera, the retina is the film strip inside the camera. The macula region is located in the middle of this layer. The epiretinal membrane is the membrane formed right above the macula.
In the middle of the macula area, there is the fovea region, where the light is focused and approximately the diameter of a pinhead. The fovea region, or as it is popularly known, the “yellow spot”, is the most important region of the retina layer responsible for central vision and detailed vision.
Prof. Dr. Tansu Erakgün
Retina Diseases and Vitreoretinal Surgery Specialist
Born on March 20, 1968, in İzmir, Prof. Dr. Tansu Erakgün completed his middle education at Saint Joseph College and his high school education at Karşıyaka Gazi High School. After graduating from Ege University Faculty of Medicine in 1992, which he entered in 1986, he began his residency training in the Department of Ophthalmology at Ege University Faculty of Medicine Hospital in the same year. In 1997, he became a specialist...
About Me Videos| Processing Time | 1 hour |
| Risks | Intraocular bleeding, retinal tear |
| Side Effects | Cataract development |
| Who Could It Be? | Those whose vision quality has decreased due to ERM |
| Back to Work Time | About 1 week |
What are the symptoms of epiretinal membrane?
A macular hole is a puncture that occurs right in the middle of the visual center. In patients who develop a macular hole, a black spot forms in the visual center and affects vision greatly. Detailed vision functions such as recognizing people’s faces and reading newspapers are greatly affected. Peripheral vision is not affected because other retinal areas are normal.
The region where the visual function is strongest is the macula region and its central yellow spot (fovea). The epiretinal membrane is a membrane that forms just above the macula.
This formed membrane causes shrinkage in the macula area underneath and causes wrinkles in the macula, which normally has a smooth surface. There is a wrinkled membrane in the epiretinal membrane right in the middle of the visual center.
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What is the Incidence of Epiretinal Membrane?
ERM incidence rates may vary depending on age and gender. For example, ERM becomes more common with increasing age and is more common in individuals over the age of 50. Additionally, ERM occurs more frequently in women than in men. Epiretinal membrane (ERM) is a tissue layer within the eye that forms on top of the retina layer at the back of the eye. ERM can impair the normal functions of the eye, reducing the quality of vision.
Vision loss caused by ERM usually progresses slowly and reduces the quality of vision, but in some cases vision loss may progress more rapidly. Once ERM is diagnosed, your doctor will recommend an appropriate treatment plan for you.
What is the success rate of epiretinal membrane surgery?
There may be many factors that affect the success rate of epiretinal membrane surgery. Epiretinal membrane (ERM) is an eye disorder that occurs as a result of abnormal growth of a thin membrane on the surface of the retina. This condition is especially common in people over the age of 60. Epiretinal membrane surgery is a surgery to remove or smooth out this membrane. In our big cities like Izmir, the number of patients who want to have this surgery is quite high. The success rate of epiretinal membrane surgery depends on many factors.
Surgical technique, preoperative visual acuity, patient lifestyle, and a number of other factors can affect the success rate, but epiretinal membrane surgery generally has a high success rate and most patients see a major improvement in their visual abilities after surgery. ERM surgery is performed using a microsurgical method called vitrectomy. In vitrectomy, the epiretinal membrane is removed seamlessly under a microscope using thin instruments. In this procedure, doctors remove fluid from inside the eye and then remove or reshape the epiretinal membrane.
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What is the cause of Epiretinal Membrane?
The most common cause of epiretinal membrane damage is changes in the intraocular fluid with age. The intraocular fluid called vitreous contracts and causes shrinkage and wrinkles in the macula.
What are the Epiretinal Membrane complaints?
Decreased vision, distorted and crooked vision are the main complaints in patients with epiretinal membrane development.
Can Epiretinal Membrane be treated with medication?
It is not possible to treat the epiretinal membrane with medication; surgery called vitrectomy is performed. Epiretinal membrane surgery can be performed under local or general anesthesia.
In vitrectomy surgery, the vitreous fluid is cleaned and the membranes in the macula area that cause shrinkage are peeled off. Epiretinal membrane surgery is generally a satisfactory surgery. The increase in vision rate continues between 6 months and 1 year.
F.A.Q.
Can you drive if you have an epiretinal membrane?
The presence of an epiretinal membrane is not a condition that prevents you from driving. If you have an epiretinal membrane and your vision quality is not affected, you can continue driving. However, if your vision quality is affected due to your epiretinal membrane and this effect negatively affects driving safety, you should stop driving “And it is recommended that you consult your doctor. In addition, you should always be careful in terms of driving safety and consult your doctor if you have any health problems that may affect the quality of your vision.
What is the recovery time for epiretinal membrane surgery?
Healing time after epiretinal membrane surgery may vary depending on the surgical technique, the patient’s general health condition and individual factors. It is recommended that you consult your doctor to make a specific estimate. In general, the healing process of the eye after epiretinal membrane surgery may take several weeks. During this period “During this period, the inflammatory substances inside the eye are eliminated and the tissue is repaired. Therefore, it is important to follow your doctor’s advice and use the eye protection tools he recommends.
How fast does the epiretinal membrane progress?
The rate of progression of the epiretinal membrane may vary between individuals. While the epiretinal membrane progresses quickly in some patients, it progresses slower in some patients. In addition, the rate of progression of the epiretinal membrane depends on factors such as the general health condition of the eye, other health problems affecting the eye, and the general health status of the individuals. “Treating other health problems that cause progression of the epiretinal membrane may slow down the rate of progression of the epiretinal membrane.
References:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319736
McDonald, H. R., Verre, W. P., & Aaberg, T. M. (1986). Surgical management of idiopathic epiretinal membranes. Ophthalmology, 93(7), 978-983.