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Macular pucker/epiretinal membrane

Posted , 9 users are following.

Cheetah
Cheetah

I've had this for about five years now and it affects the vision in my right eye - straight lines are wavy, etc.  The worst thing is the double vision I get, as the image I get from each eye is different.  I've still to find anybody who has, or has had, this and would really like to compare notes with somebody about it.

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • bagladyNYC
    bagladyNYC Cheetah

    Posted

    I trust you are seeing a specialist in eyes? They should be able to answer your questions. Go to whoever is at the top--not to someone who just makes glasses or doesn't have the right equipment to test your eyes properly. Even good eye doctors can't see what is going on without the right equipment. Good luck.
  • Cheetah
    Cheetah

    Posted

    Thanks for your reply.  Yes, I do see a very good optician, but am not due to see him again until about September.  I did see a consultant two years ago who said he would happily operate to remove the membrane, but it was up to me.  However, I was coping quite well at that time and my vision in each eye, with glasses, is OK, so I left it.  Now, however, although my vision hasn't really changed, I don't think, it's the double vision that is beginning to annoy me.  I think the time to have the operation is probably getting nearer!

    I don't know anybody who has had this, but would be very pleased to find somebody who has had the operation.

  • artfingers
    artfingers Cheetah

    Posted

    I had this and upon seeing the eye doctor, was told I could live with it or have surgery to remove the membrane affecting the retina and hopefully improve my vision.  My vision was affected in that straight lines were wavy and there was double vision.  I decided to do the surgery and had a epiretinal membrane peel and vitrectomy (removal of gel like substance inside the eye).  I was warned that this might cause a cataract which it actually did about 6 months later.  Tomorro I have the cataract surgery.  I am hopeful that after that, my vision will return to normal.  I also have macular degeneration.  I would highly recommend seeing an Opthalmologist.
    • Cheetah
      Cheetah artfingers

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply.  I saw a vitreo-retinal consultant in October.   I've got the wavy lines etc. with my right eye, but the acuity of both eyes is quite reasonable.  I'm within the driving recommendations, although I wouldn't drive as the double vision makes me cautious about doing so.  I was told that they didn't usually operate on somebody with my level of acuity - even with the distortion.   So, it looks as though I'm just going to have to live with it and hope it doesn't get worse.

      I hope your cataract surgery has gone well and your vision is improving.

    • artfingers
      artfingers Cheetah

      Posted

      Yes, sounds like if you have it under control.  I'm not sure in retrospect if I would go thru it all again.  But I do admit that it is nice to see so well long distances now in that eye.  There are tradeoffs in that now I can no longer see up close without glasses.  The cataract surgery itself went fine, so I'm thankful for that.
  • tina96773
    tina96773 Cheetah

    Posted

    Hi, may i ask what was your vision acuity. my doctor changed his mind on operating and didn't even tell me why?

  • Cheetah
    Cheetah

    Posted

    Hi Tina. I think my vision on the Snellen Chart is 6/9 with my left eye and 6/12 with my right eye, which is the one that has the epiretinal membrane. This is with glasses. I've always been quite shortsighted.

    I got the impression from the last consultant I saw that they would only operate if my vision was dramatically affected, which it isn't, even though I still don't feel confident enough to drive again. After seeing an eye consultant last year - my pressures are high and are being monitored - I was told that the EM is stable and shouldn't get worse, so I can't see them doing anything about it now. The distortion is a real nuisance at times.

    If you're seeing your consultant again, I would definitely ask him/her to explain why he changed his mind about operating. Failing that, see your GP and ask him/her to find out for you. It may be in your notes sent to your GP from the consultant, or your GP could write a letter to him/her and ask for you. Best of luck.

  • kitty04869
    kitty04869 Cheetah

    Posted

    Hi cheetah,

    I just found this forum, dont know how old it is..Anyway,I also have a macula pucker...both eyes..no idea how that happened altough I suspect my motoraccident...Its really horrid....the vision is distorted..sometimes i see very odd faces..I cant read the signs in traffic from a distance...for me....the worse part is not being able to see my own face as it was..its so long and strange....I cant get used to it and it makes me insecure..I have as hort face but see it distorted because of the puckers...I also see wavy lines just like you....hope yours will get better, you never know..goodluck!this isnt nice!Im dutch so sorry for any grammatical bloopers..

    • Cheetah
      Cheetah kitty04869

      Posted

      Hi Kitty. Sorry to hear that you've got the macular pucker in both eyes. As you will have seen I put my original post up 8 years ago and my epiretinal membrane is now considered to be stable. I still have the distortion in my right eye, but I suppose I've just learned to live with it, although, like you, I often find it difficult to read signs etc, particularly traffic signs from a distance. I've not driven since it happened, even though the optician told me that my sight is all right to drive. I just don't feel confident enough. I can't imagine how strange it must be to find your face distorted in the mirror.

      Has your doctor suggested any treatment at all?

      Take care.

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