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Macular pucker, also called epiretinal membrane, is a thin layer of tissue that forms over the retina.

The retina lies at the back wall of the eye and receives the images of light that form vision and transmits these impulses via the optic nerve to the brain. At the center of the retina is the macula which helps us to more precisely define our vision for such tasks as reading or sewing.

As we grow older, the gel-like substance that forms the central mass of the eye shrinks and may pull or put traction on the retina and macula as it withdraws. This pulling can result in microscopic damage or irritation to the retina's inner surface. When this irritation occurs to the macula, the retina responds by moving cells onto the surface of the retina in an attempt to heal the damage. This new layer of cells is known as an epiretinal membrane and results in an uneven retinal surface called macular pucker. Other causes of epiretinal membrane and macular pucker such as inflammation, various blood vessel disorders and trauma also exist.
In most cases, this slow process is self-limiting and the cells stop proliferating. However, in some people, the situation may progress and cause distortion of the retina as well as significant swelling of the retina leading to significant vision loss. Symptoms include blurred central vision, distorted or wavy vision, gray area in central vision, and difficulty in performing task that require seeing detail.

Specialists at NRI are experts in the management of epiretinal membranes and macular pucker and are involved in the development of ground-breaking new techniques of treatment.