AIM: To observe the effect on visual quality by traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)warm-reinforcing method for early idiopathic macular epiretinal membrane(IMEM).

METHODS: Totally 21 patients(21 eyes)diagnosed as early IMEM with spleen-kidney yang deficiency were treated by Gubenmingmu powder for 2mo. The best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), the contrast sensitivity and the modified vision quality of questionnaire score were detected to compare the life influence of pretherapy with posttherapy in visual changes.

RESULTS: The BCVA were separately 0.24±0.07、0.22±0.06、0.27±0.08 in the treating time of 1, 2 and 5mo. Contrast sensitivity function in special frequencies of 6,12 and 18c/d increased than pretherapy(P<0.01), those of 3c/d were no statistically significant(P>0.05). Scales of night fixation difficulty, guidepost difficulty, TV font difficulty, satisfaction, annoyance, understanding, newspaper easiness had significant differences(P<0.01), while the rest of the scales had no significant differences(P>0.05).

CONCLUSION: The TCM warm-reinforcing method could improve the visual function of IMEM patients and improve patients' quality of life.