SPONTANEOUS RELEASE OF AN EPIRETINAL MEMBRANE IN AN ADULT PATIENT WITH STARGARDT DISEASE-A CASE REPORT

Purpose: To report an unusual episode of formation and spontaneous release of a thickened hyaloid and dense epiretinal membrane (ERM) complicating Stargardt disease. Methods: Case report. Results: We report the case of a 40-year-old woman who was followed in our center with a diagnosis of Stargardt. She was lost to follow-up and returned to the clinic 7 years later with recent visual loss in her left eye. Fundus examination revealed a vitreomacular adhesion with a thickened hyaloid and dense tractional ERM that was not present at the last visit. Observation was decided and the ERM underwent a spontaneous separation from the underlying retina during follow-up. Conclusions: This is a case of spontaneous release of an ERM in a patient with a known diagnostic of Stargardt disease and ongoing posterior vitreous detachment. It supports that surgical abstention and observation may be a relevant alternative in eyes with an ERM complicating Stargardt disease.