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Regenerative Therapy by Suprachoroidal Cell Autograft in Dry Age-related Macular Degeneration: Preliminary In Vivo Report
Published on: February 12, 2018
CLINICOPATHOLOGIC CORRELATION OF PRERETINAL TISSUES IN MYOPIC TRACTION MACULOPATHY
Jonathan F Russell1, Andrea Naranjo, Sander R Dubovy
1Department of ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida.
Purpose:
To evaluate histopathologic features of preretinal tissues removed from eyes with myopic traction maculopathy (MTM).
Methods:
We retrospectively studied preretinal tissue specimens from eyes with MTM removed during pars plana vitrectomy. A control group of six idiopathic epiretinal membranes was studied for comparison.
Results:
Six MTM specimens were studied histopathologically. Outer retinal schisis-like thickening was present in 100% of preoperative optical coherence tomography images; four of the six eyes had subfoveal neurosensory retinal detachment. Postoperative optical coherence tomography images demonstrated complete resolution of the schisis-like appearance in all eyes; a full-thickness macular hole occurred in two of the six eyes. Histopathologic examination disclosed fibrocellular tissue that was strongly positive for glial fibrillary acidic protein, weak to moderately positive for cytokeratin, and weakly positive for smooth muscle actin and CD68. There were no apparent histopathologic or immunohistochemical differences between preretinal tissues from eyes with MTM and idiopathic epiretinal membranes from control eyes.
Conclusion:
The outer retinal schisis-like thickening, commonly associated with subretinal fluid, that characterizes MTM is associated with preretinal tissues that are histopathologically indistinguishable from idiopathic epiretinal membranes. These findings suggest that anteroposterior traction caused by axial elongation rather than a uniquely abnormal cellular process is the etiologic mechanism of MTM.
Insights
Histopathologic analysis of preretinal tissues in myopic traction maculopathy (MTM) revealed no differences compared to idiopathic epiretinal membranes. This suggests axial elongation, not abnormal cellular processes, causes MTM.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Retinal Diseases
- Histopathology
Background:
- Myopic traction maculopathy (MTM) is a condition affecting the macula in highly myopic eyes.
- Understanding the cellular composition of preretinal tissues in MTM is crucial for elucidating its pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To histopathologically evaluate preretinal tissues obtained from eyes with MTM.
- To compare these tissues with idiopathic epiretinal membranes.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of preretinal tissue specimens from MTM eyes undergoing pars plana vitrectomy.
- Histopathological and immunohistochemical examination of MTM tissues.
- Comparison with a control group of idiopathic epiretinal membranes.
Main Results:
- Six MTM specimens showed fibrocellular tissue with specific protein expressions (GFAP, cytokeratin, SMA, CD68).
- No significant histopathologic or immunohistochemical differences were found between MTM and control epiretinal membranes.
- Preoperative OCT showed outer retinal schisis-like thickening and subretinal fluid in MTM eyes, resolving postoperatively.
Conclusions:
- Preretinal tissues in MTM are histopathologically indistinguishable from idiopathic epiretinal membranes.
- The findings support anteroposterior traction due to axial elongation as the primary cause of MTM.
- MTM pathogenesis may not involve a uniquely abnormal cellular process.
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