Has anyone had Epiretinal membrane removed and was it successful?

Eye care
1

Hello I have had an Epiretinal membrane diagnosed and Iam trying to decide whether or not to have surgery ?I can still read and drive but find it rather annoying that where my eyes have been trouble free up to now I have this problem.There are a number of risks with the surgery and I am not sure if its worth going through with it when I could end up with worse vision or just slightly improved. Anyone had it removed ?Was it worth it ? Jane

2

Hello Jane, I was also told I have an epiretinal membrane. My Consultant told me I might decide to have a vitrectomy at some point

The Moorfields website has a lot of information. You can print off the patient leaflet if it helps you.

I am leaving my operation until I really need it but I will have it then.

Good luck.

3

Hello Jane
I was diagnosed with epiretinal membrane in my left eye several years ago. I used to see an eye surgeon every three months, then every six months and now only once a year. For the first couple of years it gradually got worse but since then it has remained stable until my last checkup when the scan showed a slight improvement.

I can still drive, watch TV and read as long as I wear my glasses. My eye surgeon will continue to see me every year will not operate unless really necessary.

Take care and all the best.

Lynn

4

I had the membrane peel done but it only helped a little.

5

Thank you Mm
.I am coming to the same conclusion.As I can read and drive the risks of surgery are quite scary

.I in 50 end up with worse vision.1 in 50 then require further surgery.It will speed up the growth of cataracts ( though could have done at the same time ).
1 in 100 develop glaucoma and 1 in 1000 become totally blind in that eye after surgery bleed or infection.
Plus one cant drive for 3 months and the vision would only be a little better so all in all I think I will see if it gets much worse and if not manage.
The only advantage of having it done sooner is it is more likely to be more successful than if you leave it my consultant said.
I am also wondering why people only seem to get in one eye ?Isnt that strange.Is it to do with which side one sleeps on ?
I would hope research could find the cause .
Jane

6

Thank you Lyn.
I too can still read and drive so think I will only have the operation if it gets worse and though I would have it done if it would improve it definately but the fact 1 in 50 end up with worse vision .No guarantee that you will be one of the lucky ones.
I live in hope that they will find a safer and easier option.Technology is inventing things all the time isnt it.
I had never heard of this membrane and at first thought I was getting macular degeneration .My mother has this condition and it has made life very difficult for her.So I was good news that it wasnt that.

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Thanks for your reply.With hindsight ( no pun intended) were you glad you had it done ?
Was it difficult not to move while you had the operation and did you have cataracts operated on as well?
Jane

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I was supposed to be “kinda” awake with twilight during my membrane surgery to communicate with the surgeon, BUT my surgeon told me I gave them a hard time, I kept kicking my legs, moving my arms and head so the had to knock me completely out. The n a cataract came on pretty fast in a few months. Had to have the cataract removed. That didn’t go so well either. That eye is still darker and I can’t see as clearly as my good eye. Also, the cataract surgery gave me light streaks. Could not drive at night any more as car headlights made it very hard to see. I then had to have laser surgery (after 90 days of the cataract surgery) to correct that which it did. Now my eye doctor tells me that I’m getting a cataract in my good eye. Everybody else I’ve talked to said they had NO problems at all after those surgeries. They said they could see like they were 16 again. So maybe it was just my luck. You might do just fine..but you must have the surgery done as it will get continually worse and the longer you leave it go the harder it is to correct. Good luck to you.

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Thank you
.I think I will monitor it for a year or two as though its very annoying I can still see to read and drive and the risks of surgery making it worse is not to be taken lightly.

My optician told me my cataracts wouldn’t need doing for 5 or 10 years but would need doing sooner if I have the surgery.

I would love my right eye to be as good as my left eye but realize now this isn’t going to happen.

I cant find out what causes the membrane to form ?Inflammation and aging is what I have been told.

I would hope that research i the future could inform us how to prevent it ?
I am wondering if either a tennis ball hitting me on the bridge of the nose would have caused a trauma ?
Knowing what caused it is a bit late but may prevent the good eye being damaged.
I am concerned that having the operation is not a cure and it could grow back again !
I wonder if they will improve the success of the operation if I wait ?Find the top surgeon ?
Why when they do it do they not put your own vitreous jelly back but use a substitute as the vitreous humor can not regenerate?

10

Hi Lyn
I am going to do the same as you and monitor it.I am due to see the surgeon in September.Any ideas at what might have caused the slight improvement?
Jane x

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One of my Ophthalmologists told me that I might not notice it after a while.
I think it was triggered by having my cataract done.

12

My eye specialist told me that sometimes there is an improvement over time whereas other patients remain stable and others deteriorate. Doesnt seem to be a reason why it happens but in my case the OCT showed an improvement compared to my last OCT scan. Take care.

13

Hi Lyn
Are you aware of the membrane ?I thought I had a cold in my eye or had a contact lense left in it.Although it doesnt hurt I am aware it is there.Maybe because I am thinking about it too much and focusing on it ?
I am hoping my brain will except the difference between my two eyes.
Im short sighted and before this problem developed both eyes had the same prescription.
I dont notice it when my eyes are closed so maybe the feeling is caused by my straining the eye with membrane or just thinking about it?
How long have you had yours ?Have you learnt to accept it ,not notice it and just get on with your life ?

14

Hi
Have you find you dont notice it as much as time goes on?I am hoping I can forget it and get on with my life.It is annoying but not painful but the think that having it removed has 1:50 chance of making my vision worse1:100 chance of getting glaucoma and 1:1000 of going blind in that eye.
So as its early days will see how it goes and gather as much information as I can before I next see the specialist .
Thanks for your input.

15

Hello

I was diagnosed with ERM about six years ago. I am only aware of it if I concentrate on looking at anything straight which to me looks wavy. Also although I try hard not to think about it I always notice it more when I am stressed and also when my appointment is due. My symptoms got 100% worse when my husband was having eye surgery for a detached retina and my symptoms went back to normal when my husband recovered.

I have got problems with my ears/hearing (hypercusis) and the hearing therapist told me the more I think about it and avoid things that make it worse then the worse it will be.

Like you said about your eyes I need to get my brain to accept my hypercusis, I just wish I knew how!

Take care of yourself.

16

Thanks Lyn .I am getting a little better at ignoring it.Trying to change my thinking and I think your right its worse when one gets stressed.
Other people I know have worse things to cope with so trying to be positive.I dont have my next appointment till September.
I am looking after the grandchildren for a few days so wont have time to think about it.
Jane x

17

hi Jane

You are right other people have worse things to worry about but that doesnt help you to stop worrying about your sight or stop me worrying about my hearing but we both must try hard to be grateful that things are not worse and be thankful for what we have.

Enjoy spending time with your grandchildren and take care.

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Thanks Lyn.S
Sight and hearing are so important.These things one takes for granted until something starts to go wrong.Ive been very fortunate with good health up to now.
Hopefully I can learn to live with it as I am not sure I want to risk the operation as there are no guarantees it will make it much better and could make it worse.
I was hoping to find someone who had the operation and hadnt had any problems but complications seem quite common and would also have to have cataracts sorted sooner probably within a year of having the membrane removed.
I will enjoy the grandchildren 5 years and 2years I will be too busy to think about my problems !
Jane x

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Enjoy spending time with your grandchildren Jane and take care if yourself.