Indications and result of surgical removal of "congenital" epimacular membranes

Introduction: Congenital epimacular membranes differ from acquired membrane s of young adults by their stow evolution and absence of vitreously their c ortex detachment. Clinical cases : We report five observations. In all these cases of unilate ral maculopathy, no etiologic factors were found. Surgical removal was requ ired in only two of these cases. Results : These membranes were whitish and presented extensions along retin al vessals to which they were very adhesive. The absence of posterior vitre ous detachment was confirmed during vitrectomy and histopathologic examinat ion found a predominance of extracellular matrix. Discussion : in these idiopathic membranes, clinical and histopathological findings evoke a dysembryopathy. Surgery decision must attach great importa nce to the relative amblyopia of these eyes, the low evolutivity and the ri sks of iatrogenic tears during dissection.