Expected to learn I have PCO developing in my left eye but found out it’s Epiretinal Membrane.
Posted , 10 users are following.
For months I experienced slight blurry vision at all distances and thought I was experiencing PCO or increased astigmatism. My cataract surgeries were July and Aug 2017. Saw my optometrist today and neither is cause for my blurry vision in left eye - I have Epiretinal Membrane. I am being referred to a retina specialist. Not sure how long that will take but my optometrist made the referral. My eyesight is 20/30 out of that eye - cannot be corrected. My optometrist says this condition is mild in my case and can corrected itself in time for some people. Googling this condition wasn't advised as bad cases of it can lead to tears and holes in macula so not sure it is a good idea to look into this online.
I really was glad to hear my lenses are good and I don't have pco but didn't expect to hear this either. Anyone else experience this and what was your outcome? Did it require treatment or go away on it's own?
Thanks everyone.
0 likes, 24 replies
soks Sue.An2
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sorry about that. do they peel the epiretinal membrane. it usually affects iol exchange folks.
Sue.An2 soks
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Soks hoping I don't have to have that procedure. Was told they oy do peel in extreme cases. Really hoping my optometrist is right in that it dan correct itself with time. She did say it was nothing I did or cataract surgery brought on.
soks Sue.An2
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do people without cataract surgery get it? hope it resolves for you.
Sue.An2 soks
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Yes it can happen to people who have not had cataract surgery although i read online that cataracts surgery can cause it and the treatment for it can cause cataracts. Once I see retina specialist I will ask if it can affect my lenses although the membrane is positioned well behind the lens.
Masher100 soks
Posted
I have epiretinal membranes in both eyes. My father went blind in one eye due to a detached retina which makes me think they are heriditary. My retina specialist said that since they were stable for two years, I should go ahead with my cataract surgery before thinking about possibly doing anything about the epiretinal membranes. My cataract surgeon said multifocal lens will exacerbate the problem. Since I also have astigmatism, I can only get monofocal toric lenses, adjusted for distance in one eye and intermediate vision in the other. I will be needing glasses for near vision.
RonAKA Sue.An2
Edited
I have diabetes and used to see a retina specialist annually. They maintain a fairly good website, and I had a quick look at the information there, and one other site. The other site said that treatment improves the vision in 75% of case, causes no improvement in 20%, and aggravates the condition in 5% of cases. It seems the general advice is that you don't treat it unless you have to. The rule of thumb suggested at the retina specialist site was that if you cover your good eye, and can still read with the affected eye, then leave it alone. They said the most common side effect was development of a cataract in your lens. If you already have an IOL that outcome would seem to be avoided...
My thoughts would be to proceed carefully, and get a second opinion before proceeding with treatment.
Sue.An2 RonAKA
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Thanks RonAKA my optometrist did say it is unlikely they would treat it unless vision is very affected. i see well with both eyes open. But closing good eye it is blurry some lines are wavy (distorted) although optometrist says vision is 20/30 (best corrected with glasses). She said it could resolve itself in time on its own but that isn't what I read but she would know more than I. I also read this condition can be caused by cataract surgery whereas my optometrist didn't think that was likely as she compared my scan from Jan 2019 and this condition was not present.
Unfortunately we have only 1 retina specialist where I live. Would mean going to another province and that may not be covered under NB medicare. But most sites I looked at don't do the surgical treatment unless eyesight is very poor.
I will update once I see the retina specialist.It could be a wait.
Thanks for weighing in - I am a bit nervous about this - could live with it if it doesn't worsen. It is actually a good thing I have EFOF lenses as I would think this condition could even cause double vision.
micheline16004 Sue.An2
Edited
Hi Sue,
I was diagnosed with epiretinal membrane with lamellar hole about 3 years ago. The retina doctor didn't want to operate because of the risk involved. He said it is stable and it should be left alone. I have an appointment to see him in November this year. I will ask him more questions. There is supposedly a controversy about it as to when or even whether to operate or leave it alone. I'm 78 years old so maybe the risk is greater for me. When it happened to me, all I could see from that eye was jagged white lines as I prayed that they would go away and they did eventually. It was a scary event. I have no idea what brought it on. Please share whatever you learn from your doctor. I will do the same.
Sue.An2 micheline16004
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Thanks Micheline - appreciate hearing from another person who went through this. I was worried I had pco - would have preferred that. Trying to learn more about this condition and yes have read they really don't want to do anything about it till vision is very affected (not usuable).
I would be very interested in what you learn from your retina specialist. I will share what I learn as well.
cazms53 Sue.An2
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Because of my extreme myopia, I had to visit a retinal specialist to be approved for cataract surgery. I was told during that appointment that I had a epiretinal membrane. They did not seem concerned about this so I never researched what this means to me and my vision (so out of character for me because I over research everything!). Now I am wondering what problems I may have in the future because of this.
Sue.An2 cazms53
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Some have a mild case and never know as it doesn't affect their vision. My optometrist says it's mechanical - nothing anyone can do to prevent or did to get it. Although I read cataract surgery can cause it - but given my cataract surgeries were 2 and half years ago I don't think so - at least it was not present on my Jan 2019 scans. If it is treated it can cause a cataract if you have your natural lens.
I will see a retina specialist but my optometrist said it is unlikely (unless condition worsens) they will do anything to treat it. Inly treatment is surgery.
soks Sue.An2
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are you worrying too early? did your optometrist do the OCT retina scan? is your distant or near vision more blur than the other?
Sue.An2 soks
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All vision through LE is blurred yo same degree. 20/30 is best I see. It isn't noticeable with RE open.
Yes optometrist did OCT retina scan. She wants a retina specialist to have s look. She doesn't think anything will be done to treat it (risk vs benefit). She said they only usually proceed when vision isn't usable at all.
seeherenow49806 Sue.An2
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So sorry to hear this, SueAn! Here's wishing that it heals itself quickly. You've probably heard about this already, but in case not, my retina guy recommends lutein and lots of green veggies and Vitamin A to keep the eyes in best healing shape forever.
Sue.An2 seeherenow49806
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Going to add those supplements to my daily routine.
Thanks really hoping this resolves on its own if not kind of looks like I will have yo live with it. Surgery is only recourse and it is only done once vision not usable at all.