GLIAL CELLS AND COLLAGENS IN EPIRETINAL MEMBRANES ASSOCIATED WITH IDIOPATHIC MACULAR HOLES

Abstract

Retinal glial cells, probably transdifferentiated Müller cells, are involved in the formation of full-thickness macular hole-associated ERMs by a gliotic and fibrotic process. Such ERMs contain newly formed Type I, III, and V collagen depositions. The cell density of ERM affects its biomechanical properties and determines the difficulty of ERM peeling.