Epiretinal membranes consist of proliferations of nonvascular retinal cells capable of inducing distortion of the macular architecture, with consequent reduction of visual acuity and metamorphopsias.
Their occurrence in the pediatric age group is rare and the diagnosis is often delayed. Their treatment is urgent because of the potential risk of amblyopia.
Surgery is indicated if the eye presents micro-detachments of the neurosensorial retina, changes at the internal blood-retinal barrier, metamorphopsias, or amblyopia. It can significantly improve retinal structure and visual acuity.
These membranes can be found in retinopathy of prematurity, traumatic or non-traumatic retinal detachments, uveitis, familial exudative vitreoretinopathy, Coat’s disease and other vasculopathies with or without vitreous hemorrhage.
