Histopathological Analysis of Internal Limiting Membrane Surgically Peeled From Eyes with Epiretinal Membrane

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To investigate histopathological changes of internal limiting membrane (ILM) in patients with epiretinal membrane (ERM)

Materials and Methods: Forty-two eyes of 42 patients who were diagnosed as ERM and enrolled for vitreoretinal surgery were included in this study. Brilliant Blue G (BBG) was used to stain the ILM in all patients. ILM was peeled in all subjects and analyzed by light microscopy (methylene blue-Azur II × 40). ILM samples were then fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde solution and examined in JEOL-JEM 1400 and 2100F electron microscope and photographed by CCD camera (Gatan Inc., Pleasanton, CA).

Results: Remained ERM fragments were observed on 80% of ILM’s. Vacuolization of ILM was observed in a patient with diabetic ERM. There were cells and cellular fragments observed mostly at retinal side of ILM which was likely to be a fragment of Muller cells of retina.

Conclusions: Most of the ILM’s had residual ERM tissue and contained cells and cellular fragments at retinal side of ILM’s. ILM peeling might have a role in decreasing ERM recurrence by removal of residual ERM tissues.

• Electron microscopy
• epiretinal membrane
• internal limiting membrane
• retina
• vitreoretinal surgery

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

The study was funded by Ankara Unit of Turkish Opthalmology Association.