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Expected to learn I have PCO developing in my left eye but found out it’s Epiretinal Membrane.

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Sue.An2
Sue.An2

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.

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  • miscrap
    miscrap Sue.An2

    Edited

    I was diagnosed with an epiretinal membrane 6 years ago during an eyeglass exam. I was told it was mild. I had another eye glass exam 3 years later by an opthamologist, and she also said it wasn't bad. About a year and a half ago it started bothering me. With an EM if you look at a straight line it will appear jagged. A grid will have lines going in all directions. When your brain takes the image from your good eye and your bad eye and puts them together they don't match up, so everything looks distorted. I do a lot of long distance driving, and would end up with eye strain and headaches. Reading was also a problem. About a year ago i saw one of the top specialists in the country for this condition. She said she treats it when the patient says it affects their daily life. I had the surgery this past fall. It was done as an outpatient procedure. Mine took a bit longer than most, because my membrane was very thin and smeared around a lot larger than usual surface, which meant that my doctor had to take it off in pieces. Fortunately she was able to get it all. I went home about an hour after the surgery, and saw the doctor the next day to have the patch removed. There was no real pain, just some discomfort. Tylenol took care of it. Reminded me of getting used to hard contacts back in the day. After 5-7 days I didnt feel a thing. I also had antibiotic and antiinflammation eye drops. I saw the doctor a week later, then a month, then 2, then 3. My vision has gone from 20/200 to 20/40 in that eye.

    A few thoughts...

    The surgery itself was not bad. I was out. My doctor said some docs do it with patients sedated in a twilight state, but she doesnt like to because some people freak out when they see her reaching for their eye with metal instruments.

    You can see the surgery performed on YouTube. It made me more comfortable with it. It might freak you out.

    A side effect of the surgery is that you will get a cataract within 2 years. Apparently its due to exposure of the inner surface of the lens to air. Since youve already had your lens replaced that wont be an issue for you.

    My biggest concern was that in some cases they have to insert a bubble inside your eye. This can be air, short term or longer term gas. You then have to remain face down, even while sleeping, so that the bubble presses against the back of your eye. Depending on which type of bubble they use it could takes from a few days to several weeks before you can stop with the head down thing. Happily, i didnt need a bubble. Most people dont.

    My vision has started to get worse due to the cataract forming. The doctor i saw today said that with a new lens and new glasses my vision in that eye should be 20/30. Although its not too bad now i'll probably get the cataract surgery soon. Its inevitable, so why not get it done before my vision gets worse? Thats what brought me to this site today, looking for advice on the best lens to get.

    Good luck, and best wishes.

    • Sue.An2
      Sue.An2 miscrap

      Posted

      Thank you miscrap. Sounds like you've been dealing with a lit. Sorry this journey has been like this for you but I really appreciate everything you shared regarding EM. This frightens me as I suffer anyways with migraines. With my good eye closed I see exactly what you describe. Distorted vision - lines that are wavy and jagged. Fortunately my good eye when open my brain chooses that image. My optometrist said the retina specialist likely would not operate unless my vision with both eyes worsens.

      Having already had cataract surgery (and I do wonder if that didn't cause the EM) I hope the EM surgery doesn't damage my IOL.

      Glad to hear your vision cleared up and it is better now . Really unfortunate it caused a cataract. Did you experience EM just in one eye? If you don't mind my asking how old did you experience EM ? I read this effects people over 50. I am currently 56.

      Thank you so much for sharing your personal experience. I have read about the condition online but to date haven't had anyone share their story. It has been unsettling for me. Especially as my cataract surgery was sooner than normal and I worry if I have to have EM surgery how that would affect the IOL.

      If I can return the favour and you have any questions about cataract surgery I would be more than happy to share and help any way I can. The procedure itself is not painful and should be less recovery.

      Again my thanks for sharing your story. I have been a little worried and thinking it may be something I might just have to live with or wait till itbis worse. Hard to live with fears Wish you nothing but the best..

  • DonDiopter
    DonDiopter Sue.An2

    Edited

    It was interesting to hear about your experiences Sue & miscrap with Epiretinal Membrane (EM) inc. symptoms, surgical procedure and outcome!

    .

    I've just had cataract surgery and a new IOL implanted and even though my visual perception is now much brighter and colours more vivid, I’m still experiencing blurry vision, difficulty reading and vertical distortion/jagged characters in text! Monday I went for an OCT scan and the orthoptist said it looks like I have an EM and will probably require more surgery! As a result next week I have an appointment with a Prof. of opthalmology who specialises in retinal surgery! 😮

    .

    So, somewhat dissapointing to say the least as I thought I would be able to proceed with the second cataract surgery and IOL implantation but now it seems we have more issues to resolve and surgery to do on my right eye before I can proceed with the plan for Mini Monovision and better visual acuity! 😦

    • Sue.An2
      Sue.An2 DonDiopter

      Posted

      So sorry to learn you too have EM. I have read cataract surgery can cause it. I really thought my problem was pco developping and I have been concerned about having a YAG. That is now least of my concerns.

      Is it definite that you will have the membrane peel to fix EM? There is more involved and recovery time but if successful it will restore your vision. I have no idea how that affects the IOL as I have already had cataract surgery.

      My optometrist did not think my cataract surgery caused EM in my case as my checkup with her a year ago did not indicate any signs of EM but I am not totally convinced. In it's mildest form people do not notice any visual impairment. I may have a wait here in New Brunswick to see a retina specialist (we have only 1 here). Optometrist also said it is likely that nothing will be done in my case as I still see well with both eyes open. However when I am tired or spend too long reading I do notice something 'off'

      How is your vision with both eyes open?

      Let's keep in touch with our findings and outcomes. It may be months before I am even able to see the retina specialist so I would very much appreciate feedback you get from yours. Again so sorry you are having to deal with this too. Thought what I had was rare but wondering if cataract surgery triggers a bunch of unpleasant side effects. Can't be a coincidence.

    • soks
      soks Sue.An2

      Posted

      i have mostly noticed em after a lens xchange. unusual just after cataract surgery.

    • Sue.An2
      Sue.An2 soks

      Posted

      My optometrist didn't think it was the cataract surgery that brought on EM. Based on my last scan in Jan 2019 which showed all was fine. That's just my speculation.

    • DonDiopter
      DonDiopter Sue.An2

      Edited

      Hi Sue,

      Thanks for your reply, kind wishes and concern.

      In answer to your questions:-

      Yes, it would seem definitive that I have E(R)M as I had another OCT scan Friday at my optometrist and it was confirmed. I could actually see it on the screen/printout! It forms over the Foveau which affects central VA (visual acuity).

      In my case EM was NOT caused by my cataract surgery as even with my dense cataract I could see distortion and bending in text and lines which I thought was my original lens but became much more noticeable day 1 post Op. with the new clear IOL which just exposed the other underlying issue!

      VA is better with binocular summation but not great as the other eye still has a medium density cataract and the new IOL is at -1.75D so no distance VA really ! However, even so I was just able to do 6/12 on a Snellen chart on Friday! 😃 So I should be able to pass my drivers license eye test which is due now too! 😮

      As I mentioned in my other post today in reply to socks query in joan's thread, I should know more after 'seeing' my new Prof. this week and will keep the forum posted.

      Kind regards,

      DonD

    • Sue.An2
      Sue.An2 DonDiopter

      Edited

      Thanks - would appreciate your sharing an update as I likely will have a long wait to see the retina specialist. Hope it goes well with you.

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