A membrane on the vitreal surface of the retina resulting from the proliferation of one or more of three retinal elements: (1) fibrous astrocytes; (2) fibrocytes; and (3) RETINAL PIGMENT EPITHELIUM. Localized epiretinal membranes may occur at the posterior pole of the eye without clinical signs or may cause marked loss of vision as a result of covering, distorting, or detaching the FOVEA CENTRALIS. Epiretinal membranes may cause vascular leakage and secondary retinal edema. In younger individuals some membranes appear to be developmental in origin and occur in otherwise normal eyes. The majority occur in association with RETINAL HOLES, ocular concussions, retinal inflammation, or after ocular surgery. (Newell, Ophthalmology: Principles and Concepts, 7th ed, p291)

Annotation

note category: a retinal disease

DUI

D019773 MeSH Browser

CUI

M0029341

Previous indexing

Retina (1974-1997); Retinal Diseases (1976-1997)

History note

98

Public note

98