Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum.  ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Eye Care  (Expert Forum)
 | 
ERM OD
Our Ask A Doctor Ophthalmology Forum is where you can post your question and receive a personal answer from physicians affiliated with the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

ERM OD

by AnnaE, Feb 20, 2008 10:00PM
Does that mean I have an epiretinal membrane over my right macula? Isn't that/can't that be serious?

Thanks
Member Comments (3)

by Michael J Kutryb, MD, Feb 21, 2008 09:19PM
Yes - erm stands for epiretinal membrane - usually not very serious.  Most of the time it limits vision to 20/30 to 20/50 range.  If worse, there is membrane peeling/vitrectomy surgery available.  Again, it is a notable condition but not usually a serious, vision threatening one.

MJK MD

by AnnaE, Feb 21, 2008 10:02PM
To: Michael J Kutryb, MD
I reached my retinologists' office today and the nurse said that it is not serious--only a trace.

I later realized that I should have asked her if it made a difference that I am in the 10% who make too much scar tissue--I have had 5 retina surgeries in 9 months, and I have lost most of the vision in my left eye, due to scar tissue, including erm, and hypotony. I am now trying to save the eye itself. It looks as if the left eye not may have stopped manufacturing scar tissue.  The problem started with a detached retina. The erm came later, with the other scar tissue, and as a result of the surgeries, I believe.

I was really scared when I saw that the doctor had noted the erm od on Friday.He did not discuss it with me. However, it looks like it may never get worse, right, even though my body makes too much scar tissue?

Of course, I must avoid any surgery in the right eye, even cataract surgery. I wish there were a med to prevent cataracts.

by AnnaE, Feb 23, 2008 11:50PM
To: Michael J Kutryb, MD
I reached my retinologists' office today and the nurse said that it is not serious--only a trace.

I later realized that I should have asked her if it made a difference that I am in the 10% who make too much scar tissue--I have had 5 retina surgeries in 9 months, and I have lost most of the vision in my left eye, due to scar tissue, including erm, and hypotony. I am now trying to save the eye itself. It looks as if the left eye not may have stopped manufacturing scar tissue.  The problem started with a detached retina. The erm came later, with the other scar tissue, and as a result of the surgeries, I believe.

I was really scared when I saw that the doctor had noted the erm od on Friday.He did not discuss it with me. However, it looks like it may never get worse, right, even though my body makes too much scar tissue?

Of course, I must avoid any surgery in the right eye, even cataract surgery. I wish there were a med to prevent cataracts.
Related discussions
Continue discussion
RSS Expert Activity
Prevention Gains Momentum: Your Gui... 
8 hrs ago by Lee Kirksey, MD
What You Don't Know About Breathing...
Nov 24 by Steven Y Park, MD
Thanksgiving
Nov 23 by Thomas Dock, Vet. Technician