Peeling of the basal membrane in the human retina: ultrastructural effects.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effects of internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling, usually performed in cases of macular hole formation, on the structural integrity of the human retina.


METHODS
Experimental study.


METHODS
Two human donor eyes.


METHODS
A human donor retina was subjected to ILM peeling shortly after enucleation, fixed, and studied by electron microscopy.


METHODS
Electron microscopic findings.


RESULTS
Within the peeled area, and even at its margins, a substantial number of Müller (glial) cell endfeet and vitreal Müller cell processes was severely damaged. However, many glial cells remained intact, and the cell bodies of the injured cells showed no signs of destruction.


CONCLUSIONS
We have shown that ILM peeling results in minor, but demonstrable, damage of the adjacent retina. Clinical studies are required to demonstrate unequivocally that ILM peeling does not induce functional deficits rather than improvement of visual function.
Wolf
Sebastian
S
Department of Ophthalmology and Eye Clinic, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany. wolfs@medizin.uni-leipzig.de
Schnurbusch
Ute
U
Wiedemann
Peter
P
Grosche
Jens
J
Reichenbach
Andreas
A
Wolburg
Hartwig
H
D001485:Basement Membrane / Q000601:surgery / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D002470:Cell Survival; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012160:Retina / Q000601:surgery / Q000648:ultrastructure*