抗うつ剤 SSRIやSNRIによる攻撃性や他害行為について
Ophthalmology textbooks describe epiretinal membrane (ERM) as follows: it is a condition in which a membrane forms over the retina, obscuring the macula and impairing vision. As the membrane thickens and contracts, it causes the retina to wrinkle. While there are no symptoms in the early stages, patients gradually begin to experience vague visual difficulties or trouble focusing; as the condition progresses, visual distortion sets in. The membrane gradually thickens, causing further retinal wrinkling. This intensifies the distortion, and visual acuity eventually drops to between 0.1 and 0.2. The membrane cannot be removed with medication; surgical peeling is required. Most patients experience improved vision, though the degree of improvement varies significantly depending on the specific condition. While the sensation of distortion diminishes, it does not disappear completely, and in some cases, the condition may worsen after surgery. Recently, a middle-aged man visited the clinic complaining of visual distortion caused by an epiretinal membrane; he stated that he did not want eye surgery and wished to be treated with Kampo (traditional Japanese herbal medicine). Although traditional Chinese medicine textbooks do not explicitly list "epiretinal membrane," they do describe a clinical condition characterized by the perception of distorted or curved objects. There are four distinct causes for this condition, each requiring a different treatment approach. After performing a differential diagnosis of the patient's condition and applying the appropriate treatment, the visual distortion improved within one month.
