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Educational content only
This page is general patient education, not medical advice. It does not diagnose conditions, recommend specific treatments for you, or replace a conversation with your eye care provider. Always consult a qualified clinician before making decisions about your eye health.
An epiretinal membrane — or macular pucker — is a thin layer of scar tissue that grows on the surface of the retina. Many cause no symptoms; some distort central vision.
What helps
Here's the plan — and why it works.
If mild
Observation
Many epiretinal membranes are stable and cause minimal symptoms. Periodic OCT scans monitor for progression.
Standard
Vitrectomy with peeling
When distortion or blur affects daily life, a retina surgeon removes the vitreous and gently peels the membrane off the retina. Vision often improves over weeks to months, though some distortion can be permanent.
Adjunct
Internal limiting membrane peel
Some surgeons remove a deeper layer (the ILM) along with the epiretinal membrane to reduce recurrence.
After
Cataract surgery
Vitrectomy accelerates cataract formation. Many patients have cataract surgery within a year or two of the retina surgery.
Come in if
New distortion, a new central blind spot, or sudden visual changes — these can signal a complication or another retinal problem like a macular hole.
Common questions
Honest answers to common questions.
Why did this happen to me?+
Most epiretinal membranes form after a posterior vitreous detachment (a normal age-related change). Others follow eye surgery, inflammation, or retinal tears. Some have no clear cause.
Should I have surgery?+
Only if symptoms interfere with what you want to do. Many people live happily with a membrane that's not progressing. Your retina specialist will help you weigh the small surgical risks against the visual gain.
How much will my vision improve after surgery?+
Most patients gain one to several lines on the eye chart, and distortion improves. Some baseline distortion can be permanent — the longer the membrane has been there, the more limited the recovery.
What are the risks of vitrectomy?+
Retinal tear or detachment, infection, and accelerated cataract formation are the main risks. In experienced hands, serious complications are uncommon.
Can a membrane come back?+
Recurrence is uncommon when the membrane is peeled completely, especially when the ILM is also removed. Most patients have lasting improvement.