The College of Optometrists (CO) has released new Clinical Management Guidelines (CMGs) to support clinicians diagnose and manage idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM).
The College noted that with an increasing use of optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging in optometric practice, more asymptomatic cases of ERM were being detected.
‘We are aware that this has resulted in uncertainty in decision making,’ the College said, ‘particularly in the early stages of disease, with some patients being referred that would not benefit from surgical intervention.’
To help streamline decision making and reduce unnecessary referrals, the CO has created CMGs on idiopathic ERM, which it said made up over 90% of all ERM cases.
The CO also shared plans to produce patient information and safety netting advice on idiopathic ERM, in collaboration with the Royal College of Ophthalmologists and Macular Society, which has been set for release in the coming months.