What is ERM eye surgery?

What is ERM eye surgery?

The surgery for ERMs is called a vitrectomy. During a vitrectomy, the surgeon will make tiny cuts in the affected eye and remove the fluid from inside the eye. The surgeon will then hold and gently peel the epiretinal membrane from the retina and replace the fluid in the eye.

What is ERM eye condition?

Epiretinal membrane (ERM) is a condition where a sheet of naturally occurring cells develops on or above the surface of the central part of your retina, an area called the macula. ERM can affect vision if this sheet of cells starts to shrink, causing the retina to wrinkle up under it.

What is ERM in Oct?

Epiretinal membrane (ERM) is a disorder of the vitreomacular interface characterized by symptoms of decreased visual acuity and metamorphopsia. The diagnosis and classification of ERM has traditionally been based on clinical examination findings.

Is ERM macular degeneration?

An ERM is a thin film that not only covers the macula, but also causes thickening, wrinkling or bulging in the underlying macula. It is typically age related, but other eye conditions can cause it as well. Macular pucker does not affect your side vision.

Is epiretinal membrane curable?

Surgery is the only way to treat an epiretinal membrane, there are no eye drops or medications that you can take that will help.

When should you have surgery for epiretinal membrane?

The common classical criterion to indicate surgery is usually the decrease of visual acuity (VA) to 20/70 Snellen or worse. Patients with better vision are counseled based on their particular needs.

What are the symptoms of ERM?

Symptoms of Macular Pucker / ERM Some early forms of ERM can cause mild blurriness in vision, which people typically notice only when trying to read fine print or drive. As the condition gets worse, straight lines may appear wavy, and your center vision may begin to have cloudy or gray areas.

How is ERM surgery done?

The surgeon will create a few, small incisions in the white of the eye. The vitreous gel filling the inside of the eye will be replaced with a sterile saline solution, not causing any permanent harm but allowing access to the retina’s surface. The ERM is then carefully removed with specialized forceps.

What causes a epiretinal membrane?

What causes an epiretinal membrane? Most epiretinal membranes happen because the vitreous (the jelly inside the eye) pulls away from the retina. This most commonly happens to people over the age of 50. The membrane may also form following eye surgery or inflammation inside the eye.

How successful is epiretinal membrane surgery?

Purpose: Surgery has been successful in removing epiretinal membranes (ERM) from the macula, allowing some improvement in vision in 80-90% of patients; however, complications are relatively frequent.