Posterior Segment
Epiretinal Membrane
Also known as: epiretinal membrane, ERM, macular pucker, cellophane maculopathy, retinal traction, metamorphopsia
Filed as: Routine
Source-cited from the record's own evidence list. Clinical content programme led by Dr Ankit Mathur, PhD, Grad Cert Ocu Thera, B.S. Optom. How the clinical content is governed
Clinical decision support only
Overview
Epiretinal membrane is a vitreomacular interface disorder that can cause macular distortion, retinal thickening, and metamorphopsia. Many cases are monitored; symptomatic, progressive, or visually significant cases require retinal referral.
Recognition
Symptoms: what patients report
- Metamorphopsia or image distortion.
- Gradual central blur or reading difficulty.
- May be asymptomatic when mild.
Signs: what the examination shows
- Macular sheen, wrinkling, or vessel distortion on fundus examination.
- OCT shows irregular inner retinal surface contour and tractional retinal thickening.
- Foveal contour may be distorted without a full-thickness retinal defect.
What OptoGuide™ covers for epiretinal membrane
- Pattern reasoning: what this combination of findings points to, and its differentiators
- Don't-miss risks and escalation triggers
- Management tiers with linked Australian therapeutics
- Referral urgency, specialty, and letter drafting
Sources
- Idiopathic Epiretinal Membrane and Vitreomacular Traction PPP — AAO
- Idiopathic epiretinal membrane — College of Optometrists CMG
- Characteristics of secondary epiretinal membrane due to peripheral break. Lee GW, Lee SE, Han SH, Kim SJ, Kang SW. Scientific Reports. 2020;10(1):20881.
- Comparison of surgical outcomes after removal of epiretinal membrane associated with retinal break and idiopathic epiretinal membrane. Kim DI, Kim BH, Bae KW, Park UC. Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophth
- Idiopathic Macular Hole Preferred Practice Pattern®. Kim SJ, Lim JI, Bailey ST, et al. Ophthalmology. 2025;132(4):P234-P269.
Standard texts: Kanski's Clinical Ophthalmology: A Systematic Approach, The Wills Eye Manual, Oxford Handbook of Ophthalmology, Oxford American Handbook of Ophthalmology, Signs in Ophthalmology: Causes & Differential Diagnosis.