What causes a macular pucker?
A macular pucker, or epiretinal membrane, occurs when a clear layer of scar tissue forms over the macula, the area of the retina responsible for clear, central vision. The scar tissue can range from just a thin layer which produces no symptoms to a thicker, more extensive membrane that causes a “puckering” of the retinal surface, blurred vision, and distortion.
How does someone get a macular pucker?
The risk of developing a macular pucker increases with age, and also in patients with a history of previous retinal tears or retinal detachment, retinal vascular disease like diabetic retinopathy, intraocular inflammation (uveitis), or previous eye surgery or trauma.
What are the symptoms of a macular pucker?
Many macular puckers cause minimal symptoms, and the best course is regular monitoring. However, if a macular pucker is significantly affecting the patient’s vision, treatment may be required.
How is a macular pucker treated?
There are no eyedrops, medications, or laser treatments that are effective for this condition. The only treatment is vitrectomy surgery and removal of the scar tissue, which can be safely performed as an outpatient procedure.
Most patients experience improved vision and decreased distortion after they have healed from the surgery, but factors that affect surgical success include the underlying cause of the macular pucker, how long it has been present, and how severely it has distorted the retina.