Retina Surgeon

Epiretinal Membrane Surgery

What is an Epiretinal Membrane?

An epiretinal membrane is a condition where a very thin layer of scar tissue forms on the surface of the retina, where the vision is sharpest.

The part of the eye affected is called the macula, which is made of special nerve cells and it provides our sharp central vision needed for seeing fine detail (reading and driving etc.). When an epiretinal membrane forms over the Macula, it may contract and crumple up the Macula resulting in distorted and/or blurred vision.

“When an epiretinal membrane forms over the Macula, it may contract and crumple up the Macula resulting in distorted vision and/or blurred vision.”

Why do I have an Epiretinal Membrane?

In most cases the development of an epiretinal membrane appears to be related to normal ageing changes inside the eye.

In some cases it can be related to other conditions such as diabetes, blockage of blood vessel, inflammation or following retinal surgery. Epiretinal membranes are not related to Macular Degeneration. Epiretinal membranes do not usually affect the other eye. They are quite common and affect up to 8% of people in later years.

Scan of normal macula
Epiretinal membrane

Assessment for Epiretinal Membrane

Your eye doctor is able to detect an epiretinal membrane during an eye examination following the use of eye drops that temporarily make your pupils large. Sometimes, a special scan of the back of the eye may be needed to confirm the presence of an epiretinal membrane. Your eye doctor will assess your symptoms to help you decide whether to proceed with surgery.

What should I expect with a diagnosis of Epiretinal Membrane?

In many cases, the discovery of an epiretinal membrane is by chance at a routine examination and the vision may not be affected. These epiretinal membranes tend not to change and do not always affect vision. Epiretinal membranes can occasionally get worse, causing blurring and/or distortion of vision. Treatment for epiretinal membrane is only required in those cases where the vision has been affected.

Epiretinal Membrane Removal

If an epiretinal membrane affects your vision, the only way to treat it is to remove the membrane surgically. This is achieved by an operation called a Vitrectomy, where specialised instruments remove the jelly-like substance that normally fills the centre of the eye, called vitreous. The removal of the vitreous inside the eye does not cause any permanent harm, apart from speeding up the development of a cataract. The vitreous is replaced by natural aqueous fluid produced inside the eye. In some cases, the surgeon has to leave a special gas bubble inside the eye which disappears on its own after a few weeks.

The surgery for epiretinal membrane removal does not usually take longer than 30 to 45 minutes and it can be performed using a local anaesthetic injection with the patient remaining comfortable and awake during the procedure. It is very important for the patient to stay still, especially during the very delicate manoeuvres when the membrane is removed using fine forceps.

Following membrane removal, the vision is typically more blurred and it can take months for it to improve. The operation is usually successful in reducing the distortion in vision due to an epiretinal membrane. If the vision had not been distorted prior to epiretinal membrane removal, improvement in the sharpness of central vision and reading can be expected.

Risks of Surgery for Epiretinal Membrane Removal

Surgery for epiretinal membrane removal speeds up the onset of cataract, which is a very treatable cause of worsening vision. In certain patients, an early cataract is removed at the same time as the membrane removal to spare the patient from a second cataract surgery operation in the near future. Combined vitrectomy and cataract surgery provides faster visual rehabilitation over the medium to long-term for patients.

What should I do following surgery?

Following surgery, you will be given eye drops to use for a few weeks, which will help the eye settle from surgery. The operation does not require patients to stay in hospital, and patients are typically reviewed in clinic a couple of weeks after surgery. In some occasions, you may be asked to position your head in a certain way for some part of the day for one day. Otherwise, you can do most daily activities although you should abstain from unhygienic environments and anything that puts the eye at risk of injury.

How much time off work will I need?

Most people will need at least two weeks off work after surgery. The amount of time off work will depend on the kind of work you do and the kind of surgery that is done. This will need to be discussed with your surgeon.

Scientific Evidence

The advice in this booklet is based on a variety of sources, including latest research published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. If you require further information about this, please ask your surgeon Mahi Muqit.

To book an appointment call +44 7717 203564 or email pp@retinasurgeon.uk.com

Treatments & Surgery