Ultrastructural and biomechanical characteristics of internal limiting membrane in high myopic macular hole

Authors: Chen Lu,  Wei Yantao,  Fang Dong,  Zhang Zhaotian,  Zhang Ting,  Jiang Xintong,  Zhang Shaochong

DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn115989-20190612-00257
Published 2020-06-10
Cite as Chin J Exp Ophthalmol, 2020,38(06): 482-487.

Abstract                               [View PDF] [Read Full Text]

Objective

To investigate the ultrastructural and biomechanical properties of the internal limiting membrane (ILM) in high myopic macular hole (HM-MH) eyes.

Methods

ILM specimens were peeled from 14 eyes with HM-MH from August to December in 2017, and 16 eyes with idiopathic macular hole (IMH) in the same period were served as a control.Specimens were detected by immunefluorescence, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). This study followed the Declaration of Helsinki, and was approved by the Ethics Committee of Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center.

Results

The immunofluorescence staining results showed that collagen Ⅳ was mainly distributed on the vitreal side and laminin on the retinal side of ILM in both groups.TEM findings revealed that the thickness of ILMs in the HM-MH group was (1.01±0.17)μm, which was significantly decreased compared with (1.92±0.21)μm in the IMH group (t=12.880, P<0.001). The stiffness of the ILMs in the HM-MH group was (2.86±0.33)MPa, which was significantly higher than (0.88±0.23)MPa in the IMH group (t=-12.650, P<0.001). The stiffness of the ILMs in the HM-MH group was positively correlated with the axial length (r=0.832, P<0.001).

Conclusions

Compared with IMH, the thickness of ILMs from HM-MH patients is thinner and the stiffness is higher, which contribute to a deep understanding of the pathogenesis of HM-MH.

Key words:

High myopic macular hole; Idiopathic macular hole; Internal limiting membrane; Collagen Ⅳ; Ultrastructure; Biomechanical characteristic

Contributor Information

Chen Lu
Shenzhen Eye Hospital, Shenzhen Eye Institute, Shenzhen 518040, China
Wei Yantao
State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
Fang Dong
State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
Zhang Zhaotian
State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
Zhang Ting
State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
Jiang Xintong
State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
Zhang Shaochong
State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
(Read 76 times, 1 visits today)
Updated: December 27, 2022 — 1:36 am