Macular Holes and Epiretinal Membrane

Surgery is usually performed under local anaesthesia with sedation. It is usually performed as a day operation.
Surgery involves vitrectomy and membrane peeling, and possibly gas injection.
Vitrectomy involves the usage of micro-instruments through the white part of the eye (sclera) to remove the vitreous gel.
Membrane peeling involves using micro-forceps to carefully peel off thin membranes overlying the retina.

Epiretinal membranes occur when a semi-translucent membrane forms over the macula (part of the retina used for central vision) and distorts the normal architecture.
Symptoms of epiretinal membrane may include decreased vision, loss of depth perception and distortion.
Patients who are troubled by their symptoms may benefit from vitrecto- my and membrane peeling surgery.
The surgery is very effective and more than 90% of patients notice an improvement in vision following epiretinal membrane surgery.

Macular holes form when pulling forces on the retina results in a defect at the most sensitive location (fovea).
Symptoms of macular hole include a central blind spot, decreased vision and distortion of vision.
When a macular hole develops, it is very unlikely to resolve spontaneously and therefore surgery is often indicated.
Macular hole surgery involves vitrectomy, membrane peeling and injection of a self-absorbing gas bubble.
Surgery for macular hole is highly successful, and most cases have more than 95% chance of hole closure with one operation.