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Author Spotlight: Ex Vivo OCT-Based Multimodal Imaging of Human Donor Eyes for Research into Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Published on: May 26, 2023
CLINICOPATHOLOGIC CHANGES OF VITREOMACULAR INTERFACE IN IDIOPATHIC EPIRETINAL MEMBRANE WITH DISORGANIZATION OF
Huanhuan Li1, Yan Liu1, Jinghong Yao1
1Department of Ophthalmology, The First People's Hospital of Changzhou, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Suzhou University, Chang Zhou, China.
Purpose:
To compare the pathological characteristics of the vitreomacular interface of the idiopathic epiretinal membrane with and without disorganization of retinal inner layers (DRIL) and to correlate with clinical data.
Methods:
In this clinicopathologic study, the samples of epiretinal membrane and internal limiting membrane were extracted from DRIL(+) (19 eyes) and DRIL(-) (22 eyes) idiopathic epiretinal membrane eyes. Ultrathin series sectioning for transmission electron microscopy was observed and correlated with surgery status and prognosis.
Results:
All idiopathic epiretinal membrane eyes presented fibrocellular membranes accompanied by vitreous collagen, glial cells, and myofibroblasts, regardless of association with DRIL. A robust signal indicative of Collagen Type VI was observed in eyes DRIL(-), whereas Collagen Type I was discovered in DRIL eyes. Cell debris and microvascular basement membrane were seen on the retinal side of DRIL eyes and a larger cell count on the vitreous side. These have more intraoperative complications and less surgery benefit.
Conclusion:
Although internal limiting membrane peeling seems important, the histopathologic findings underscore the potential for retinal injury in DRIL(+) idiopathic epiretinal membrane eyes. This suggests that further research is needed to investigate individual preoperative assessment and to modify surgical procedures.
