Histopathologic evaluation of the internal limiting membrane surgically excised from eyes with diabetic maculopathy.

Abstract

To histopathologically evaluate the internal limiting membrane (ILM) in diabetic eyes with macular edema as compared to nondiabetic controls. The authors ultrastructurally and immunohistochemically studied ILM specimens that were intentionally peeled from five eyes with diabetic maculopathy, comprising four with diffuse diabetic macular edema and one with macular hole accompanying diabetic retinopathy (DM group), and five with nondiabetic idiopathic macular hole (MH group). They compared ultrastructural and immunohistochemical findings between the two groups. A larger amount of cellular elements was observed on the vitreous side of the ILM in the DM group. The thickness of the ILM in the DM group was significantly increased (mean 4.8 +/- 1.6 microm) compared with that in the MH group (1.8 +/- 0.6 microm) (P < 0.0001). Immunoreactions for heparan sulfate proteoglycan in the ILM were more abundant in the DM group than in the MH group. The ILM thickening and cell abundance on the vitreous surface might contribute to the course and the pathogenesis of diabetic maculopathy.