Structure and physiological function of internal limiting membrane and its role in related diseases

Internal limiting membrane (ILM) is a translucent homogeneous membrane composed of Müller cell basement membrane and a small number of glial cells.The alpha collagen, sulfate protein sugar and laminin in ILM play important roles in the development of retinal basement membrane and neurovascular structure and in the formation of retinal barrier.However, when pathological changes occur in its composition, structure and physical and chemical properties, it may cause the occurrence and development of many vitreoretinal diseases.At present, ILM peeling which is widely used in vitreoretinal diseases can effectively relieve the traction of residual vitreous cortex on retina and prevent postoperative epiretinal membrane formation, but there are still some problems such as retinal microstructure and physiological function damage.Therefore, some ILM-modified surgeries have been developed, including fovea-sparing ILM peeling, inverted ILM flap, and ILM transplantation technique.This article summarizes the physical and chemical properties, physiological functions, pathologic changes in ILM-related diseases and ILM-related surgical methods, with the goal of providing an advanced understanding of the ILM and aiding in clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Internal limiting membrane; Physicochemical properties; Physiological functions; Pathologic changes; Surgery