Abstract:

The epiretinal membranes is a vitreo macular disease associated with symptoms such as decreased vision and visual distortion. The vitreo-retinal interface plays a critical role in the development of epiretinal membranes. At present, the treatment of epiretinal membranes includes observed, surgery and  medication. The term pharmacologic vitreolysis refers to the use of enzymes to liquefy the vitreous gel, and to induce posterior vitreous detachment. Recently, it was shown that intravitreal injection of plasmin enzyme without the performance of vitrectomy induced complete posterior vitreous detachment,  which brought the dawn of the drug treatment for epiretinal membranes. However, the rate of success for drug treats epiretinal membranes is not high, complication often occur. More clinical studies are needed for the medication. So surgery is still the main treatment for epiretinal membrane.(Int Rev Ophthalmol,  2017,  41:   381-384)