Macular Pucker

(aslo called Epiretinal Membrane, Cellophane Maculopathy, or Surface Wrinkling Retinopathy)

The macula refers to the central portion of the retinal that is responsible for fine focus visual acuity. Visual images are focused by the cornea and the lens on to the macula. From the macula the visual information is sent via the optic nerve to the brain, where it is interpreted as sight. In patients with Macular Pucker, a thin, cellophane-like pice of tissue grows on top of the macula and distorts the visual signals that are sent to the brain. The most common symptom for patients is central distortions to their central vision (straight lines appear wavy or with gaps).

Macular puckers can develop due to injury to the eye, previous eye surgery, prior uveitis (inflammation int he eye) or diabetic retinopathy. In the majority of patients with macular puckers, there is no identifiable underlying cause, but there is often scar tissue involved.

Cellophane Maculopathy Treatment

Surgery is the only known treatment option for macular puckers, but injection of steroids into the eye may decrease the severity of symptoms. If the symptoms interfere with daily activities, a vitrectomy can be performed to resolve the macular pucker.

Under local anesthesia, vitreous gel is removed from your eye to relieve the pulling on your retina and the scar tissue causing the macular pucker is removed.

Macular Pucker Symptoms

A macular pucker can occur spontaneously or can be caused by an injury to the eye. Blurry vision or sight that is mildly distorted could be a sign of a macular pucker. You may notice that straight lines appear distorted or that you have trouble reading small print that was not a problem for you before.

Patients can monitor their symptoms by using an Amsler Grid to track their distortions and monitor for subtle changes.

ECSV provides surgical treatment for macular pucker and other distorted vision issues in the San Jose area. Schedule a consultation at ECSV today or give us a call at 408-295-3433.