Epiretinal membrane, floaters

[lulu138]

I have been diagnosed with a wrinkle in the epiretinal membrane which I understand can only be corrected by a risky surgery.  I have also noticed an increase in floaters.  My vision is still good but I feel as though I am looking through a dirty window and the floaters are maddening.  I have had 3 opinions and the results are varying.  Has anybody had a similar experience or condition?

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[RP388]

Lulu, I was diagnosed with this in my right eye about 6 months ago. (This was 6 months after I had laser surgery for a bad retinal tear). To say the least, it is very annoying and I find very few people with my symptoms:
1)Slightly yellowing in what I see..also somewhat dimmer 2) I see tiny white swirly ambeba type objects  that are very pronounce on any lighter surface....millions of them (These are not the regular dark floaters that I usually see). 3) Straight lines appear somewhat wavy 4)When I blink I actually can see an image of my vessels for a few seconds
5) Ojects are slightly larger than with the other eye
What is trully amazing, I still have 20/30 vision (corrected) with this eye...and it has been this way for 4 months now.   I have bothered  my retinal specialist with so many questions that he probably doesn't want to see me anymore!  He just tells me to come back if it gets worse...wow

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[lulu138]

Thanks for the information.  I will certainly look in to it...........

[JodieJ]

If you live in a large metropolitan area, you can probably use Castle-Connolly's directories  (online at castleconnolly dot com).  They list board-certified doctors in all specialties who have been nominated by other doctors as someone they would see themselves.  I've been very satisfied with the doctors I've found through them.  If Castle-Connolly doesn't list retinal specialists in your area, then try the referral service at aao dot org.  These doctors are all board-certified but not necessarily experienced.  Go for an experienced doc.  An association with a teaching hospital would be a plus.  Other area ophthalmologists are often knowledgeable about who is good.  

[lulu138]

Thanks you for your comments.  It helps to know that my problem is not as unique as I imagine.  May I ask you how you went about finding the best board certified surgeon in your area?  Every resource I have contacted comes back with a different name or practice.

[JodieJ]

I had surgery to remove an epiretinal membrane.  (I did not have floaters).  The surgery was not painful, and I don't think that it is especially dangerous if performed by an experienced retinal surgeon.  The major complication is cataract development.  If the condition bothers you significantly, I'd advise you to find the very best board-certified retinal surgeon in your area (definitely not a resident, fellow, or doctor who has just finished his training) and go ahead and do it.