Background: Idiopathic epiretinal membranes (ERM) grow on the surface of the i nternal limiting membrane (ILM) and are a very uncommon condition in young subje cts. Methods: We report six young subjects withERM and de...Background: Idiopathic epiretinal membranes (ERM) grow on the surface of the i nternal limiting membrane (ILM) and are a very uncommon condition in young subje cts. Methods: We report six young subjects withERM and describe the spontaneous separation of the membranes. The functional and anatomical recovery was assessed by Snellen visual acuity, Amsler grid and funduscopy. Selected cases were addit ionally assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT). Results: All subjects in itially claimed a sudden, unilateral, reduction in visual acuity (VA) with sever e distortion at the age of 15-30 years. No ocular trauma or disease was ascerta ined in any case. Initial fundus examination demonstrated a gray-whitish ERM wi th translucent stress lines over the macula. Visual recovery occurred in all cas es after resolution of the ERM. Sequential OCT demonstrated the successive peeli ng of an ERM accompanied by normalization of foveal thickness. Conclusions: Youn g subjects should b e counseled about the favorable prognosis for maintaining go od vision and possible spontaneous membrane separation. Conservative observation is advocated if the visual disturbance is located temporally, as functional rec overy and spontaneous membrane separation may occur. When the contracting forces of the immature ERM are stronger than its adhesions to the retina, the membrane may separate spontaneously.展开更多
文摘Background: Idiopathic epiretinal membranes (ERM) grow on the surface of the i nternal limiting membrane (ILM) and are a very uncommon condition in young subje cts. Methods: We report six young subjects withERM and describe the spontaneous separation of the membranes. The functional and anatomical recovery was assessed by Snellen visual acuity, Amsler grid and funduscopy. Selected cases were addit ionally assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT). Results: All subjects in itially claimed a sudden, unilateral, reduction in visual acuity (VA) with sever e distortion at the age of 15-30 years. No ocular trauma or disease was ascerta ined in any case. Initial fundus examination demonstrated a gray-whitish ERM wi th translucent stress lines over the macula. Visual recovery occurred in all cas es after resolution of the ERM. Sequential OCT demonstrated the successive peeli ng of an ERM accompanied by normalization of foveal thickness. Conclusions: Youn g subjects should b e counseled about the favorable prognosis for maintaining go od vision and possible spontaneous membrane separation. Conservative observation is advocated if the visual disturbance is located temporally, as functional rec overy and spontaneous membrane separation may occur. When the contracting forces of the immature ERM are stronger than its adhesions to the retina, the membrane may separate spontaneously.
