Ultrastructure of internal limiting membrane in myopic foveoschisis

PURPOSE: To reveal the pathogenesis of myopic foveoschisis (MF). DESIGN: Clinicopathological report. METHODS: Internal limiting membranes (ILMs) were collected from ten patients with MF and five patients with idiopathic macular hole (IMH) as a control. Samples were subjected to transmission electron microscopic study. Characteristics of the ILM were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Collagen fiber and cell debris were identified on the inner surface of ILM in seven eves (70%) with MF, significantly more (P < .05) than found in IMH subjects (0%). More fibrous glial cells were likely to be found on the inner surface of ILM. No sigificamt difference in fibroblast-like cell adhesion was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Collagen fiber and cellular component are suggested to play an important role in developing MF. ILM peeling may be essential for vitrectomy for MF. (C) 2005 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.