Has anyone had Epiretinal membrane removed and was it successful?

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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 ?

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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