Epiretinal membranes

Abstract

Epiretinal membranes are a common finding in older patients but are rare in young patients. Although they may be associated with other ocular conditions, most epiretinal membranes occur in the absence of ocular pathology. Patient symptoms range from asymptomatic to complaints of severe vision loss and metamorphopsia. Epiretinal membranes are commonly classified according to their density and contractile characteristics. In this review, cellophane maculopathy refers to thin, glistening membrane, surface wrinkling maculopathy is characterized by fine, superficial retinal folds and macular pucker is associated with a dense, grayish-white membrane causing a characteristic pattern of severe retinal distortion. With sufficient visual disturbance, epiretinal membranes may be treated by pars plana posterior vitrectomy and epiretinal membrane peeling.