Development of the subretinal space in the preterm human eye: ultrastructural and immunocytochemical studies.

To investigate the development of the subretinal space in the human infant, eyes were obtained from 12 live-born, anomaly-free, preterm infants from 20 to 32 weeks gestation and from one 3-month postterm infant. The retinas were studied by light microscopy, electron microscopy, and immunocytochemistry. The immunocytochemical studies utilized rabbit antiserum against purified bovine interstitial retinol binding protein (IRBP). A subretinal space containing IRBP was present in the central retina at 20 weeks and extended further into the periphery (expressed as a percentage of the distance from the optic disc to the ora serrata in the temporal hemisphere) as the retina developed. At 28 weeks, IRBP was absent only from the most peripheral 25% of the retina and reached the temporal ora serrata at 32 weeks. At 3 months postterm, IRBP immunofluorescence outlined fully developed photoreceptors, which were present from the optic disc to the ora serrata. The appearance of IRBP in the subretinal space correlated with the development of the first photoreceptor outer segment discs.