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Use of optical coherence tomography (OCT) in diagnosis and management of macular epiretinal memrane (Master thesis)

Παπαδοπούλου, Χρύσα-Μαρία/ Papadopoulou, Chrysa-Maria

The epiretinal membrane (ERM) is a thin layer of fibrous tissue that grows on the surface of the macula and can cause problems with central vision. Epiretinal membranes are idiopathic or secondary, especially after a posterior vitreous detachment, and may cause reduced vision and/or metamorphopsia. Not all ERMs detected on routine eye examination should be surgically removed. An optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan reveals the microanatomy of all retinal layers and allows the vitreoretinal surgeon to decide whether to monitor or perform a vitrectomy to peel them off. OCT imaging clearly shows all tractions in the retina and intraretinal layers and may have predictive value for surgery. OCT imaging is also very valuable in the differential diagnosis of pseudoholes with macular holes much better than clinical examination. It is a routine part of the detailed retinal examination of an eye with ERM. The purpose of this paper is to present in detail the pathological mechanisms that lead to the formation of epiretinal membranes, the OCT findings, as well as how OCT can contribute to the diagnosis, as well as the choice of treatment method.