It has been proposed that the drugs Circe used were an extract from Datura stramonium (also known as jimsonweed), which causes memory loss and delirium. This would give a basis for the snowdrops use as an antidote, as Datura stramonium is anticholinergic, while galantamine is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. Medical uses
Galantamine is indicated for the treatment of mild to moderate vascular dementia and Alzheimers. In the United States, it is approved by the Food and Drug Administration as safe and effective for the treatment of mild to moderate dementia. As with other cholinesterase inhibitors, galantamine may not be effective for treating mild cognitive impairment.The FDA considers galantamine to have dual status as a prescription drug and as a OTC dietary supplement. Alzheimers disease
Alzheimers disease is characterized by the impairment of cholinergic function. One hypothesis is that this impairment contributes to the cognitive deficits caused by the disease. This hypothesis forms the basis for use of galantamine as a cholinergic enhancer in the treatment of Alzheimers. Galantamine inhibits acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme which hydrolyzes acetylcholine. As a result of acetylcholinesterase inhibition, galantamine increases the availability of acetylcholine for synaptic transmission. Additionally, galantamine binds to the allosteric sites of nicotinic receptors, which causes a conformational change. This allosteric modulation increases the nicotinic receptors response to acetylcholine. The activation of presynaptic nicotinic receptors increases the release of acetylcholine, further increasing the availability of acetylcholine.
In fact, the visual distortions and diplopia created by cataracts may sometimes be confused with epiretinal membrane. Epidemiology
This ocular pathology was first described by Iwanoff in 1865, and it has been shown to occur in about 7% of the population. It can occur more frequently in the older population with postmortem studies showing it in 2% of those aged 50 years and 20% in those aged 75 years. Culture
In 1996, Spalding Gray (June 5, 1941 – ca. January 10, 2004), an American actor, screenwriter and playwright, released Grays Anatomy, a film monologue describing his experiences dealing with a macular pucker and his decision to undergo surgery. In the 2011 film Paul, Ruth had Epiretinal membrane complicated by macular edema in her left vitreous cavity. See also
Eye surgery

References
Additional references
de Wit GC (2007). "Retinally-induced aniseikonia". Binocul Vis Strabismus Q. 22 (2): 96–101. PMID 17688418. Benson WE, Brown GC, Tasman W, McNamara JA (1988). "Complications of vitrectomy for non-clearing vitreous hemorrhage in diabetic patients". Ophthalmic Surg. 19 (12): 862–4. PMID 3231410. Suami M, Mizota A, Hotta Y, Tanaka M (2007). "Pattern VEPs before and after idiopathic epiretinal membrane removal". Doc Ophthalmol. 114 (2): 67–73. doi:10.1007/s10633-006-9039-4. PMID 17216518. S2CID 22039065. Dev S, Mieler WF, Pulido JS, Mittra RA (1999). "Visual outcomes after pars plana vitrectomy for epiretinal membranes associated with pars planitis". Ophthalmology. 106 (6): 1086–90. doi:10.1016/S0161-6420(99)90247-6. PMID 10366075. Johnson MW (2005). "Perifoveal vitreous detachment and its macular complications". Trans Am Ophthalmol Soc. 103: 537–67. PMC 1447588. PMID 17057817. External links

Macular Pucker Resource Guide from the National Eye Institute (NEI).