Electron microscopic observation of preretinal membranes.

In this report, membranes removed during vitrectomy were observed by various methods of electron microscopy to determine their three-dimensional structure and the mechanism of the contraction of preretinal membranes. The vitreous side surface of the preretinal membranes was covered by two types of flat cells, cells with long, extended processes and cells in a pavement arrangement. The lamellae of the flat cells in the internal structures of the preretinal membranes were also observed. In each lamella, the cells appeared to have a connection with each other and formed networks. The retinal side surface of the preretinal membranes was smooth and acellular. The glycerinated preretinal membranes were exposed to ATP and Mg2+, which induced the contraction of the component cells of the preretinal membranes. When the cells on the vitreous side surface of the preretinal membranes contracted, the intercellular connections among them appeared to be preserved.