Histological Changes of the Vitreous and Retina in Retinal Lattice Degeneration.

Hur, Jong Wuk; Hwang, Jeong Hee; Ko, Myung Kyoo

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society 2004;45(1):125-130.
Published online January 1, 2004.

Histological Changes of the Vitreous and Retina in Retinal Lattice Degeneration.

Jong Wuk Hur, Jeong Hee Hwang, Myung Kyoo Ko

Department of Ophthalmology, Hanyang University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. fovea@hanyang.ac.kr

망막 격자변성에서 유리체 망막의 조직학적 변화

허종욱 ( Heo Jong Ug ) , 황정희 ( Hwang Jeong Hui ) , 고명규 ( Go Myeong Gyu )

Abstract

PURPOSE
To investigate of the histological characteristics of the lattice degeneration of the human peripheral retina. METHODS: The histological characteristics of the lattice degeneration of the retina was checked by flat preparation and serial section of the lattice lesion in three eyes was investigated by transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: Flat preparation showed lattice lesion with a hole at the lateral margin with overlying sclerotic vessel and pigment clumping within the lesion. The ultrastructural initial findings showed that the collagen filament in the vitreous cavity was continuous with Muller fiber of the retina with the defect of the inner retina. The full-thikness defect of the sensory retina leaded to the retinal hole. The vascular wall was replaced and occluded by fine fibrillar collagen. The glial cell proliferated into the neural tissue of the sensory retina. These glial cells may secrete long spacing collagen (LSC) and curvilinear material shown at the area of the sensory retinal defect and near the vitreoretinal interface. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the thinning of the retina occurs from the inner retina leading to retinal hole as the lattice degeneration progresses. LSC and curvilinear material are suggestive of derivatives derived from the extracellular material secreted from the glial cell.

Key Words: Electron microscopy;Flat preparation;Glial cell;Lattice degeneration;Retinal hole