Vitrectomy and juvenile epiretinal membrane

The cases of two children who had idiopathic epiretinal membranes are reported. Causes for juvenile epiretinal membranes, including trauma, pars planitis, toxocariasis, Coats' disease, or combined hamartomas, were not present. Both patients previously had documented normal vision in the affected eye. Observation revealed deterioration of vision, and a pars plana vitrectomy and a membranectomy were performed. The 5-year -old girl's vision improved from counting fingers at 5 feet to 20/80. The 12-year-old boy's vision improved from 20/200 to 20/80. Selected cases of juvenile epiretinal membranes may benefit from surgical excision.