Vitrectomy surgery with Membrane Peeling, the only treatment for an epiretinal membrane, removes the vitreous gel and scar tissue growing over the macula which is causing distortion of central vision. This is typically a slowly progressive condition. Not all patients require epiretinal membrane removal. Only patients that visually significant complaints such as distortion and progressive decrease in vision do we consider as good candidates for surgery. We peel the internal limiting membrane (ILM) along with epiretinal membrane at the time of surgery to prevent regrowth of scar tissue.

This surgery does not involve the use of gas bubble typically. The success of surgery often depends on how well the central photoreceptor (light seeing cells) are prior to the operation. In patients that have reasonable appearing central photoreceptors, they are more likely to have a greater gain in vision than patients that have suffered greater damage. RVC physicians use a 25g sutureless technique for addressing visually significant epiretinal membranes.