877-852-8463Newsletter Sign UpLocationsPatient PortalSchedule Appointment

Specialty Eye Institute

Premier providers of eye surgery and LASIK in Mid-Michigan and Northwest Ohio

  • About
    • Call Now
    • Testimonials
    • Careers
      • Launch Your Career
      • Why Choose Specialty Eye Institute
    • News & Events
  • Doctors
    • SEI Doctors
    • Locate an Optometrist
    • Affiliate Doctors Login
  • Services
    • Blepharoplasty Treatments
    • Cataract Eye Surgery
      • Laser Cataract Surgery
      • Cataract Surgery Lens Options
      • Cataract Technology
      • Cataract FAQ
    • Corneal Transplants
    • LASIK Eye Surgery
      • Take Our LASIK Self-Test
      • Affordable Options for LASIK
      • Financing
      • Frequently Asked Questions About LASIK
    • Refractive Lens Exchange Surgery
    • Retinal Detachment Treatments
    • Visian ICL Eye Surgery
  • Vision Conditions
    • Astigmatism
    • Diabetic Retinopathy
    • Dry Eyes
    • Glaucoma
    • Hyperopia
    • Keratoconus
    • Macular Degeneration
    • Macular Holes
    • Presbyopia
  • Resources
    • What to Expect at Your Appointment
    • Patient Forms
    • Video Library
    • Financing
    • Retina Care
      • Eye Anatomy
      • Epiretinal Membrane (Macular Pucker)
      • Free Amsler Grid
    • Travel Support
    • No Surprises Act: Billing Disclosures
  • Contact
    • Call Now
    • Schedule an Appointment

Epiretinal Membrane (Macular Pucker)

Home » Eye Care Services » Retina Care » Epiretinal Membrane (Macular Pucker)

macular puckerWhat is an Epiretinal Membrane (Macular Pucker)?

The retina is a layer of light-sensing cells lining the back of your eye. As light rays enter your eye, the retina converts the rays into signals, which are sent through the optic nerve to your brain where they are recognized as images.

The macula is the central portion of the retina responsible for clear, detailed vision which is needed for activities such as reading and driving.

Damage to your macula causes blurred central vision, making it difficult to perform tasks such as reading small print, threading a needle, or reading a street sign. Straight lines can often appear wavy. Vision loss can vary from barely noticeable to severe.

The macula normally lies flat against the back of the eye. An epiretinal membrane (macular pucker) is when wrinkles, creases, or bulges form on the macula.

Eye

What Causes an Epiretinal Membrane?

As you age, the vitreous clear gel-like substance that fills the middle of your eye begins to shrink and pull away. Once the vitreous starts to shrink, scar tissue may develop on the macula. Sometimes the scar tissue can shrink and contract, causing the retina to wrinkle or bulge. Eye conditions that are associated with macular pucker include:

  • Vitreous detachment (separation of gel inside eye)
  • Torn or detached retina
  • Inflammation inside eye
  • Severe injury to the eye
  • Occlusions of the retinal blood vessels


A diagnosis for epiretinal membrane or macular picker is not usually related to any medical problem outside the eye. Our staff of ophthalmologists offer eye surgery and treatment options to clients that are encountering the symptoms of macular pucker.

Eye Care Solutions: We Offer Innovative Cataract Surgery & Treatment Solutions

What Are the Symptoms of Macular Pucker?

The symptoms of macular pucker or epiretinal membrane range from mild to severe and may involve one or both eyes. Symptoms may include:

  • Blurred central vision
  • Distorted or wavy vision
  • Gray and/or cloudy areas in central vision
  • Central blind spot
  • Difficulty reading or performing tasks that require detailed vision

How is Macular Pucker Detected?

Our staff of ophthalmologists detect macular pucker by examining your retina. A test called a fluorescein angiogram, a procedure that takes special photographs of the eye may be performed. These photographs show if an abnormality exists in your retina. In addition, a specialized type of ultrasound called an OCT may be performed to diagnose epiretinal membrane.

Eye Doctor

How is Macular Pucker Treated?

For mild symptoms, you may not be required to treat epiretinal membrane. Updating your eyeglass prescription or wearing bifocals may improve vision. Eye drops, medicines or laser surgery do not improve vision. If you are experiencing severe symptoms, a surgery called vitrectomy is recommended to treat macular pucker. The surgery is usually performed as an outpatient procedure in an operating room.

During surgery, your retina specialist uses tiny instruments to remove the wrinkled tissue on your macula. After the tissue is gone, the macula flattens and vision slowly improves, though it usually does not return all the way to normal. This is an elective procedure and should be considered if your blurred vision is interfering with your daily activities.

Eye Care Solutions: Safe & Accurate LASIK Eye Surgery & Care Solutions

What Are the Potential Risks of Vitrectomy Surgery?

As with any surgical procedure, rare complications that can occur while you are treating macular pucker include infection, bleeding, retinal detachment, recurrence of macular pucker after surgery, and cataracts. Be sure to discuss potential complications with your ophthalmologist before surgery.

Schedule a Surgery or Eye Care Appointment

Give Us a Call Today
Schedule An Appointment

Make An Appointment

Lasik Eye Surgery Navigation
Cataract Treatment Navigation
Glaucoma Doctors Navigation
Dry Eye Treatment
Refractive Lens Navigation
Keratoconus Eye Surgery Navigation
Retina Care Navigation
patient-resources

FOR PATIENTS

  • Schedule an Appointment
  • Find an Optometrist
  • Patient Resources
  • Patient Forms
  • Billing and Insurance Information
  • Financing
  • ACA Non-discrimination Notice

FOR DOCTORS

  • Continuing Education Events
  • Grand Rounds
  • Referring a Patient
  • Clinical Forms

CONTACT US

877-852-8463

SOCIAL MEDIA

SIGN UP NEWSLETTER

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Patient Resources
  • News
  • Locations
  • Careers
  • Privacy Policy
Specialty Eye Institute © 2022
Digital Marketing by Youtech. 8778528463

Copyright © 2022 · specialtyeyeinstitute on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

CATARACT
SELF-TEST
LASIK
SELF-TEST
SCHEDULE
APPOINTMENT
877-852-8463Newsletter Sign UpLocationsPatient PortalSchedule Appointment
  • About
    • Call Now
    • Testimonials
    • Careers
      • Launch Your Career
      • Why Choose Specialty Eye Institute
      • Back
    • News & Events
    • Back
  • Doctors
    • SEI Doctors
    • Locate an Optometrist
    • Affiliate Doctors Login
    • Back
  • Services
    • Blepharoplasty Treatments
    • Cataract Eye Surgery
      • Laser Cataract Surgery
      • Cataract Surgery Lens Options
      • Cataract Technology
      • Cataract FAQ
      • Back
    • Corneal Transplants
    • LASIK Eye Surgery
      • Take Our LASIK Self-Test
      • Affordable Options for LASIK
      • Financing
      • Frequently Asked Questions About LASIK
      • Back
    • Refractive Lens Exchange Surgery
    • Retinal Detachment Treatments
    • Visian ICL Eye Surgery
    • Back
  • Vision Conditions
    • Astigmatism
    • Diabetic Retinopathy
    • Dry Eyes
    • Glaucoma
    • Hyperopia
    • Keratoconus
    • Macular Degeneration
    • Macular Holes
    • Presbyopia
    • Back
  • Resources
    • What to Expect at Your Appointment
    • Patient Forms
    • Video Library
    • Financing
    • Retina Care
      • Eye Anatomy
      • Epiretinal Membrane (Macular Pucker)
      • Free Amsler Grid
      • Back
    • Travel Support
    • No Surprises Act: Billing Disclosures
    • Back
  • Contact
    • Call Now
    • Schedule an Appointment
    • Back