epiretinal membrane: optical coherence tomography-based diagnosis and classification

William Stevenson, Claudia M Prospero Ponce, Daniel R Agarwal, Rachel Gelman, John B Christoforidis Department of Ophthalmology, University of Arizona Medical Center, Tucson, AZ, USA Abstract: Epiretinal membrane (ERM) is a disorder of the vitreomacular interface characterized by symptoms of decreased visual acuity and metamorphopsia. The diagnosis and classification of ERM has traditionally been based on clinical examination findings. However, modern optical coherence tomography (OCT) has proven to be more sensitive than clinical examination for the diagnosis of ERM. Furthermore, OCT-derived findings, such as central foveal thickness and inner segment ellipsoid band integrity, have shown clinical relevance in the setting of ERM. To date, no OCT-based ERM classification scheme has been widely accepted for use in clinical practice and investigation. Herein, we review the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and classification of ERMs and propose an OCT-based ERM classification system. Keywords: macular pucker, cellophane macular reflex, preretinal macular fibrosis, optical coherence tomography, central foveal thickness, inner segment ellipsoid band