*3.1. Demographical Data*

The mean age (mean age ± standard deviation) of the subjects included in this study was 55.22 ± 7.35. The number of males and females were 33 and 12 respectively.

#### *3.2. Histological Evaluations and Cellular Profiling*

Histological analysis of the ERMs revealed spindle cells with round or oval hyperchromatic nuclei (black arrow; Figure 1 and Figure S1) and pale eosinophilic cytoplasm with or without uveal pigment. The cellularity varied among specimens; it was lower in macular hole samples as compared to PDR and RD. We did not detect a significant difference in cellularity between PDR and RD samples.

**Figure 1.** H&E staining of epiretinal membrane (**A**) macular hole, (**B**) retinal detachment, (**C**) proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Photomicrographs in all except macular hole show the presence of spindle shaped cells (black pointed arrows) and the adjacent fibro-collagenous tissue. (H&E; scale bar = 400 μm).
