La retina it is the eye tissue on which the images that are sent to the brain by the optic nerve.
La epiretinal membrane It is a pathology that affects the taint, a small yellowish spot in the center of the retina and is indispensable for the vision. Macular epiretinal membrane means "membrane on the retina."
En Área Oftalmológica Avanzada We explain what the macular epiretinal membrane is, what are the causes and symptoms of this disease.
What is it?
The macular epiretinal membrane (MEM) is the growth of a translucent cellular tissue on the macula of the retina.
When the epiretinal membrane contracts and wrinkles, it slowly deforms the retina until it affects vision.
Causes
MEM is produced by cells that are deposited from the taint and that come from the same retina or other layers such as the pigmentary epithelium.
These cells are producing collagen and are forming a kind of mesh that, at pull, contracts the retina and deforms it.
The epiretinal membrane is also associated with vitreous detachment and any inflammatory ocular pathology, infections and surgeries.
In people over 60, the epiretinal membrane is produced by a idiopathic cause, although it is believed that the origin may be related to the aging of the vitreous humor.
Symptom
The formation of a membrane in the eye can significantly affect vision, since the macula is the part of the retina responsible for the center vision and the perception of the details of the images we perceive.
The symptoms of the epiretinal membrane are:
- Decrease in visual acuity.
- Distorted view of images.
- visual disturbance when seeing lines, letters and numbers written very small.
- Haze in the center of vision.
Transmission
Many epiretinal membranes stabilize and stop affecting the patient's quality of life.
However, sometimes the membrane in the eye continues to progress and causes a significant loss of vision. In those cases, the best treatment option is surgery.
To treat the macular epiretinal membrane, a posterior vitrectomy which consists in extracting the vitreous humor and dissecting the membrane to stop the traction. As a result, the retina is released and it is made to relax and function properly.
La vitrectomy It is a procedure that is performed under the effects of Anesthesia local. It is a surgery that usually gives excellent results since almost 80% of patients improve their vision gradually.
People with retinal deformity may have a limited recovery.
Postoperative
After undergoing a vitrectomy for epiretinal membrane, the patient should attend several Medical consultations of follow up.
After surgery, the patient usually witnesses minor discomfort when blinking and having the sensation of existence of a foreign body inside the eye.
During the first week of the postoperative period, it is important avoid any kind of sudden movement with the head and physical exercise, because your vision will still be very distorted and will gradually recover gradually.
En Área Oftalmológica Avanzada We have the best specialists in Barcelona to treat the macular epiretinal membrane. Call us now if you need more information and make an appointment with one of our doctors. We will be happy to help you!
