Macular Pucker
An epiretinal membrane (ERM, also called macular pucker) is a thin film of fibrous tissue that can form on the macula (the area in the retina that allows us to read and see faces). The film may also contract like scar tissue, which can pull on the retina in the back of your eye. This ‘puckering’ of the macula can distort your vision, and can also cause the retina to swell.
What causes an ERM?
In most cases, epiretinal membranes occur in people with no history of eye problems. It is usually caused by natural changes in the vitreous ‘gel’ inside the eye. These changes cause cells from the retina and other parts of the eye to be released into the vitreous gel, and they eventually settle on the macula, where they can form a membrane. Occasionally, an epiretinal membrane can form as a result of a previous eye problem.
What are some symptoms of ERM?
Common symptoms include pinched/distorted central vision, blurry vision, or double vision.
How do you treat an ERM?
If the epiretinal membrane is very mild, and has little or no effect on your vision, then observation is typically recommended. In more advanced cases, surgery may be necessary to remove the membrane. This will allow the retina to settle back to its normal shape. However, once the retina is disturbed, the vision will never completely return back to normal.