Comparative studies of morphological changes and interleukin concentrationin subretinal fluid of patients with retinal detachment

Morphological evaluation was performed with the light and scanning electron microscope of subretinalvariety of inflammation-based immunological proces ses which stimulate the development of vitreoretinal proliferation. fluids (SRF) collected during operations from 36 patients with rhegmatogenous reti nal detachment. Duration of the disease was 3 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 10 weeks an d 6 months. The immunoenzymatic method was used to establish the presence o f interleukins IL-1 beta, IL-2, IL-4 and IL-6 in SRF. It was revealed that the differentiation of the morphological picture of SRF depended on the dur ation of detachment. Most cell-rich SRF came from the 3-week detachment. Mo nonuclear cells were predominant in that period (macrophages, lymphocytes). in the later period (over 8 weeks) a decrease in the number of cells and a change in cellular composition were noted in the fluids examined, while af ter six months of detachment normal cellular elements were absent. In all t ime intervals analyzed, no significant increase in IL-1 beta, IL-2 and IL-4 was noted in SRF. However, a significant quantity of IL-6 was found, parti cularly in the 5- to 8-week detachment. The authors assume that the presenc e of a large number of inflow cells in 'fresh' detachment can trigger a var iety of inflammation-based immunological processes which stimulate the deve lopment of vitreoretinal proliferation.