The Components of the Proliferative Membranes in Retinopathy of Prematurity

ABSTRACT

In order to evaluate the components of the proliferative membranes in the retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), 8 proliferative membranes obtained from 8 eyes with ROP stage 5 during lensectomy, vitrectomy and delamination of membrane were examined under electron mIcroscopy. Among the 8 proliferative membranes of ROP, fibrous astrocytes, myofibroblasts, lymphocytes, macrophages, calcifications were respectively found in 2 cases, vascular tissues in 4 cases and abundant collagen matrix in 7 cases. While in the 2 cases with fibrous astrocytic proliferations the membranes were hypercellular, in the other 6 cases the membranes were hypocellular and mainly composed of collagen matrix.