Comparing macular degeneration and epiretinal membrane, which is the most serious and why?

Macular degeneration: Macular degeneration occurs mainly in two forms, wet and dry. We can't treat the dry type except to recommend cessation of smoking and add AREDS-formula vitamins to your diet. Wet degeneration can be treated with injections but still results in vision loss. An epiretinal membrane can be fixed surgically, if needed.

There is a range: in severity for both but the severity with macular degeneration is higher. The membrane distorts the retina, but the vision cells still function. It is a surgical treatment to peel off the membrane. Macular degeneration is a process where the vision cells degrade and die. The "wet" form, is treated but not cured with injectable medications. Hope that helps.

Depends: on severity. However, I would take an epiretinal membrane (term) over age related macular degeneration any day. The reason is that an erm, if treated we vision is still fairly good, has excellent results. Macular degeneration has no good treatment for the dry disease and folks often loose vision regardless of what is done. If vision loss is severe form erm before surgery, outcomes disappoint.