J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.
2002 May;43(5):823-829.
The Cellular Characteristics of the Secondary Pupillary Membrane
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine Hanyang University Hospital, Korea. fovea@hanyang.ac.kr
Abstract
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PURPOSE: This study was performed to investigate the cellular characteristics of the secondary pupillary membrane.
METHODS
The secondary pupillary membrane was removed from the anterior lens surface during cataract extraction from 2 patients with cataract associated with uveitis. Specimen from one patient was stained with hematoxylin-eosin with flat preparation method. Specimen from the other patient cultured for 1 and 2 weeks was observed with transmission electron microscopy.
RESULTS
The flat preparation showed the neovascular membrane with pigment-laden cells. The cultured cells consisted of the well preserved vascular components which had the vascular endothelial cells and pericyte and pigment-laden cells lined by basement membrane on first week of culture. The iris pigment epithelial cell which contained the pigment granules within cytoplasm and lined by basement membrane were observed on second week of culture.
CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that the secondary pupillary membrane consists of vascular membrane and pigment epithelial cell of iris which is a major component of secondary pupillary membrane and secrets extracellular matrix.
