Subretinal strands: ultrastructural features.

This report describes the histologic and ultrastructural features of 13 subretinal strands removed during vitreous surgery for retinal detachment with proliferative vitreoretinopathy. On the surface of the subretinal strands, retinal pigment epithelial cells were found that maintained their cellular characteristics. Inside the strand were modified pigment epithelial cells, fibroblasts, fibrocytes, myofibroblasts, macrophages, basal lamina material, fibrin, and often large amounts of collagen. In some strands, the basal lamina material was similar to the types found in Drusen and in the inner layer of bruch's membrane. Glial cells were rarely found in these strands.