What is the difference between macular degeneration & epiretinal membrane?

Two different condit: Your eye doctor can explain it to you if you ask! macular degeneration is a more serious condition as it can threaten your vision, so it needs urgent treatment.

Both affect retina: The retina has multiple layers. Macular degeneration involves the breaking down (degrading) of one of the layers of the retina. Most commonly this is age related. An epiretinal membrane is a scar tissue layer that forms on top of the retina. It can cause the retina layers beneath it to wrinkle or become swollen. This can be spontaneous, after eye surgery, or after retinal tears and detachments.

Totally different: Macualr degeneration is a condition that directly affects layers of the retina in the back of these that are responsible for light sensing (outer segments and RPE). The condition is usually present in the setting of having genetic suseptability. Epiretinal membrane grows on the inner surface of the retina. Is causes secondary retinal swelling and distortion affecting vision.