{
  "abstract": "Purpose\n\nTo determine whether surface-specific biophysical properties of the internal limiting membrane (ILM), measured by atomic force microscopy (AFM), are associated with optical coherence tomography (OCT)-based epiretinal membrane (ERM) stage and six-month visual outcomes.Methods\n\nIn this prospective study, ILM specimens from vitrectomy for idiopathic ERM (stages 2-4) were examined by AFM for thickness, roughness, stiffness, and adhesion on the vitreal or retinal surface. AFM parameters were related to preoperative OCT parameters, best-corrected visual acuity, surgical grade of ILM adherence, and six-month outcomes. Multivariable regression assessed correlates of visual change and final acuity.Results\n\nWe analyzed 147 eyes (80 retinal-side, 67 vitreal-side). Retinal-side roughness and stiffness exceeded vitreal-side values (both P < 0.001). Retinal-side roughness and adhesion (P < 0.001 and P = 0.008, respectively) and, less strongly, vitreal-side stiffness (P = 0.035) increased with ERM stage, whereas vitreal-side adhesion did not. Thickness did not differ by surface or stage (all P ≥ 0.116). Retinal-side roughness and adhesion correlated with preoperative severity and postoperative outcomes, whereas vitreal-side stiffness correlated mainly with severity and vitreal-side adhesion with surgical adherence. Greater retinal-side adhesion and vitreal-side stiffness were associated with smaller visual gains and worse final acuity in multivariable models (all P < 0.05).Conclusions\n\nILM biophysical properties showed surface-specific associations with OCT-based ERM severity and six-month visual outcomes. Retinal-side adhesion and vitreal-side stiffness remained associated with final acuity after adjustment for baseline acuity. These findings suggest that ILM surface mechanics may reflect ERM-related retinal deformation relevant to postoperative visual recovery.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.",
    "Veterans Health Service Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea.",
    "Laboratory of Cell Imaging, Seoul Shinsegae Eye Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea.",
    "Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul Shinsegae Eye Center, Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea.",
    "Department of Applied Bioengineering, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea."
  ],
  "article_type": "research article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 7,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Changsik Yoon"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Sangkyung Choi"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Yeseul Yoon"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Gi Young Kong"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Byung Gil Moon"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Byung Yang Lee"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2,
        3,
        4
      ],
      "name": "Hyun Seung Yang"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/3kz1r4c13574h.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1167/iovs.67.12.14",
  "fulltext_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13657119",
  "id": "3kz1r4c13574h",
  "issns": [
    "0146-0404",
    "1552-5783"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42841589",
  "language": "eng",
  "licence": "CC-BY-NC-ND",
  "licence_label": "CC BY-NC-ND",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "2741|Retinal and Macular Surgery"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7220864779",
  "pdf_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13657119?pdf=render",
  "pmcid": "PMC13657119",
  "pmid": "42841589",
  "published": "2026-10-01",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/3kz1r4c13574h.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:18:10Z",
      "native_id": "MED:42841589",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42841589"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "openalex:2741|Retinal and Macular Surgery",
      "subfield": "imaging"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Surface-Specific Internal Limiting Membrane Biomechanics in Epiretinal Membrane Severity and Visual Outcomes.",
  "title_text": "Surface-Specific Internal Limiting Membrane Biomechanics in Epiretinal Membrane Severity and Visual Outcomes.",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:18:10Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/3kz1r4c13574h",
  "venue": "Investigative ophthalmology & visual science",
  "versions": []
}