Inner limiting membrane

Inner limiting membrane (ILM) is the innermost layer of the retina, which separates the retina from the vitreous body. It is a thin, transparent, and acellular structure that plays a crucial role in maintaining the structural and functional integrity of the retina.

Structure

The inner limiting membrane is composed of two main components: the basement membrane of Müller cells and the footplates of astrocytes. Müller cells are a type of glial cell that span the entire thickness of the retina, while astrocytes are star-shaped glial cells that provide support and nutrients to the nervous tissue.

Function

The ILM serves several important functions in the eye. It provides a barrier between the retina and the vitreous body, preventing the migration of cells and molecules between these two structures. It also plays a role in maintaining the shape and structural integrity of the retina, and it is involved in the regulation of various physiological processes, such as the transport of nutrients and waste products.

Clinical significance

In certain eye diseases, such as macular hole and epiretinal membrane, the ILM can become thickened or contracted, leading to visual impairment. In these cases, a surgical procedure known as ILM peeling may be performed to remove the affected part of the membrane and improve vision.

See also

• Retina
• Müller cells
• Astrocyte
• Macular hole
• Epiretinal membrane