AIM: To decide the type of the idiopathic epiretinal membrane by measuring collagens.

METHODS: Totally 25 cases(25 eyes)were divided into cellophane macular reflex membrane(CMRM)and preretinal macular fibrosis membrane(PMFM)by fundus manifestation. Then the specimens of peeled idiopathic epiretinal membranes were made immunohistochemistry and measured for the collagen of Ⅵ and Ⅰ and Ⅱ. The coincidence rate were tested between the fundus examination and pathological examination.

RESULTS: The idiopathic epiretinal membranes were classified into 10 CMRM and 15 PMFM by fundus manifestation. The immunohistochemical specimens were classified into 16 Ⅵ collagens and 9Ⅰ or Ⅱ collagens.

CONCLUSION: The pathological examination is the means of the type of the idiopathic epiretinal membranes.