Vital dyes increase the rigidity of the internal limiting membrane

Abstract

Purpose To assess the stiffness of the natural human internal limiting membrane (ILM) and evaluate potential changes of the mechanical properties following staining with brilliant blue (BB) and indocyanine green (ICG). Methods Unstained ILM specimens were obtained during ophthalmic surgical procedures. After removal, the specimens were dissected into five parts. Two fragments were stained with BB and ICG, respectively, for 1 min, another two specimens were stained similarly followed by additional subsequent illumination using a standard light source (PENTA LUX x 50, Ophthalmologische Systeme GmbH Fritz Ruck). The fifth part served as an untreated control. All specimens were then analyzed using atomic force microscopy (AFM) in contact mode with a scan rate of 0.6 Hz. Two scan regions of 10 Â 10 mm were chosen and stiffness was determined by using AFM in a force spectroscopy mode. The force curves were plotted with a data rate of 5000 Hz. In all specimens both the retinal side and vitreal side were analyzed.

Biomechanical Properties of the Internal Limiting Membrane after Intravitreal Ocriplasmin Treatment

“…The present study is in line with and confirms the result of our previous report using AFM measurements following ILM staining using vital dyes [10]. In accordance with our previous investigation, we confirmed a stiffening effect of the ILM following BB application, which could not be seen in unstained ILM specimens.…”

“…Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a well-established technique to measure tissue rigidity of basement membranes such as the ILM on a nanoscale level [8,9,10,11]. In the present experimental study, we used this technique to quantify potential changes of biomechanical properties of the ILM following ocriplasmin treatment for tractional maculopathies such as macular holes or VMT syndrome.…”

An evaluation of two heavier-than-water internal limiting membrane-specific dyes during macular hole surgery

“…The surgeon in this study noted a subjective difference in the ease of peeling of the ILM, with BBG-P stained ILM seeming to be more rigid and easier to peel than the AV17-M stained ILM. Vital dyes are known to alter the rigidity of the ILM with changes on atomic force microscopy being found on both retinal and vitreous sides of the ILM with both BBG and ICG [24]. Indeed increased rigidity is one of the explanations given for the surgically experienced feeling that ILM is easier to peel after staining [24].…”

Propiedades biomecánicas de la membrana limitante interna tras recibir tratamiento intravítreo con ocriplasmina

“…El presente estudio coincide y confirma el resultado de nuestro informe previo con mediciones del microscopio de fuerza atómica tras la tinción de la MLI con tintes vitales [10] . De acuerdo con nuestra investigación anterior, confirmamos un efecto de rigidez de la MLI tras la administración de AB, que no se observaba en muestras de MLI no teñidas.…”

“…La microscopia de fuerza atómica (MFA) representa una técnica sólida que mide la rigidez tisular de las membranas basales, tales como la MLI a un nivel de nanoescala [8][9][10][11] . En el presente estudio experimental, utilizamos esta técnica para cuantificar los cambios potenciales de las propiedades biomecánicas de la MLI tras el tratamiento con ocriplasmina para maculopatías traccionales, tales como agujeros maculares o síndrome de TVM.…”