Korean J Ophthalmol.  1992 Jun;6(1):36-43. 10.3341/kjo.1992.6.1.36.

The components of the proliferative membranes in retinopathy of prematurity: an electron microscopic study

• Woo KI
• Kwak SI
• Yu YS

• KMID: 1735092
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/kjo.1992.6.1.36

Abstract

Electron microscopic examination of proliferative membranes in retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) was performed in order to evaluate the components of the membranes. The proliferative membranes were obtained from nine patients with ROP stage 5 during pars plicata lensectomy, vitrectomy, and delamination of membrane. Fibrous astrocytes, myofibroblasts, lymphocytes, macrophages, and calcification were found respectively in two cases, and fibroblast-like cells were found in one case. Varying amounts of collagen tissues were found in eight cases and vascular tissues in four cases. Most of membranes were hypocellular and composed mainly of collagen matrix. It is considered that fibrous astrocytes, myofibroblasts, fibroblasts, and vascular structures are involved in the formation of proliferative membranes of ROP, and that later these cells degenerate and disappear, and that finally only collagen matrix remains in the membranes.

Keyword

electron microscopy; proliferative membrane; retinopathy of prematurity

MeSH Terms

Cataract Extraction
Child, Preschool
Gestational Age
Humans
Infant
Infant, Low Birth Weight
Infant, Newborn
Microscopy, Electron
Retina/*ultrastructure
Retinopathy of Prematurity/*pathology