[Health Tip] Beware of 'Mangmak' if Aging Arrives... "Get Tested from Your 40s"

Unnecessary New Membrane Formation on Retinal Surface
Progression Causes Deformation and Vision Loss
Early Detection Through Regular Fundus Examinations Needed

To detect and treat epiretinal membrane early, it is necessary to have regular ophthalmic examinations starting from your 40s.
[Photo by Kim Eye Hospital]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] 'Epiretinal membrane,' a condition where unnecessary new membranes form on the surface of the retina, is one of the age-related eye diseases that can cause metamorphopsia and vision loss if it progresses. Since early symptoms are often absent, early detection through regular check-ups is important, and because aging is a major factor, it is necessary to have periodic fundus examinations starting from your 40s. If an epiretinal membrane develops in one eye, it can also occur in the other eye later, so consistent ophthalmologic follow-up is recommended even after treatment.

The retina is a neural tissue responsible for transmitting light stimuli entering the eye to the brain and plays a crucial role in vision. Therefore, if the retina is damaged due to disease, it can cause problems with vision and visual fields. Epiretinal membrane is a disease that occurs on the retina, especially in the macula where photoreceptors are densely concentrated. After a fibrous membrane forms on the retinal surface and contracts, it causes wrinkles on the retina, hence it is also called retinal membrane, retinal folds, or macular folds.

Due to the membrane formed in front of the retina, objects may appear distorted in size or shape, or vision may deteriorate. The type and severity of symptoms vary depending on the membrane’s location, thickness, and the traction force on the retina. When the membrane is located off-center or is very small, or even if it covers the center but is thin and exerts weak traction, there may be no symptoms at all. Because of this, many people are unaware of the condition until an epiretinal membrane is discovered during a health check-up or preoperative examination for cataract surgery.

Fundus photographs of a normal eye (left) and a patient with epiretinal membrane. A white translucent membrane in the macula, along with full-thickness retinal folds and vascular deformation caused by it, can be observed.
[Photo by Kim Eye Hospital]

If clear symptoms are felt, the disease is likely already significantly advanced. Once damaged, retinal photoreceptors are difficult to regenerate to their original state. Early detection allows for surgery to remove the epiretinal membrane before further retinal deformation occurs, halting the progression of vision loss. Most epiretinal membranes are idiopathic diseases primarily caused by aging, so regular fundus examinations are crucial.

From the 40s onward, it is recommended to have periodic ophthalmologic examinations even without underlying diseases or suspicious symptoms. It is advisable to continue follow-up through regular check-ups even after detecting and treating an epiretinal membrane. Research shows that within five years after onset in one eye, 13% of cases develop in the other eye as well. The incidence of epiretinal membranes in both eyes is reported to be about 20-30%.

Not all patients with epiretinal membranes require surgery. Most epiretinal membranes progress very slowly anatomically over time, symptoms are mild, and vision tends to remain stable for a long time. However, surgical treatment is considered when the epiretinal membrane is very thick with severe structural deformation, when retinal thickness increases due to traction from the membrane, or when severe metamorphopsia or significant vision loss occurs. Surgery involves vitrectomy to remove the cause of macular traction and to excise the epiretinal membrane.

Park Sae-mi, a retina specialist at Kim Eye Hospital, said, “Treatment of epiretinal membrane aims to prevent its progression and preserve vision, so complete vision recovery is difficult to expect. However, if deformation or progression of the epiretinal membrane is detected early through regular fundus examinations, surgery can preserve vision. The best way to protect eye health is not to miss the optimal timing for surgery through regular fundus exams and to monitor for additional onset in the other eye.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.