Recurrent proliferations in macular pucker, diabetic retinopathy, and retrolental fibroplasialike disease after vitrectomy.

The clinical and ultrastructural details of recurrent epiretinal and transvitreal membranes from patients with macular pucker, diabetes mellitus, and a retrolental fibroplasialike disease are presented. The membranes were characterized ultrastructurally by the presence of reactive glia and moderate amounts of collagen in the extracellular matrix. Many of the cells in the recurrent membranes showed myofibroblastlike differentiation. Recurrence of transvitreal membranes in a previously vitrectomized eye may be explained by spontaneous detachment of contracting epiretinal membranes.