应用共焦显微镜观察Fuch角膜内皮营养不良患者的病变形态学特征

目的探讨应用共焦显微镜观察我国Fuch角膜内皮营养不良患者角膜各层的活体形态学特征。方法对19例(38只眼)Fuch角膜内皮营养不良患者的中央部角膜进行活体共焦显微镜检查,分为有症状组(19只眼)和无症状组(19只眼),并选取30只眼作为正常对照组,应用NAVIS软件测量、分析角膜各层组织细胞形态和密度,以及滴状赘疣和角膜神经的直径。结果 (1)有症状组:19只眼的角膜内皮层均见到滴状赘疣,直径20-60 μm,内皮细胞密度与正常对照组比较差异有显著意义(t=18.74,P<0.01);9只眼后弹力膜增厚;14只眼角膜后基质层有长条形暗区结构;19只眼角膜基质反光普遍增强;17只眼Bowman膜有局灶性高反光区域;19只眼基底上皮细胞形态大致正常;10只眼显示正常的角膜神经结构;后、前基质细胞密度,与正常对照组比较差异无显著意义(t=0.854、1.173,P=0.38、0.24)。(2)无症状组:19只眼的角膜内皮层均见到滴状赘疣,数目较有症状组者少,直径15-40μm;内皮细胞密度,与正常对照组比较,差异无显著意义(t=1.998,P=0.053);角膜其余各层未见异常。有症状组与无症状组的内皮细胞密度计数比较,差异有非常显著意义(t=8.352,P<0.01)。结论活体共焦显微镜检查有助于Fuch角膜内皮营养不良患者的诊断,特别适用于角膜水肿、角膜内皮镜无法成像的患者。(     

Comparison of in vivo confocal microscopy of human cornea by white light scanning slit and laser scanning systems

PURPOSE: To compare in vivo corneal imaging by scanning slit white light and laser confocal microscopy systems. METHODS: Twenty healthy individuals and 10 patients with corneal dystrophies including Fuchs, granular, Map-Dot-Fingerprint dystrophies, and amiodarone-induced keratopathy were examined with the ConfoScan 3 (Nidek Technologies) scanning slit white light confocal microscope equipped with x40 front lens (Zeiss) and the Rostock Cornea Module (RCM) for HRT II (Heidelberg Engineering) laser confocal microscopy system equipped with Olympus x60 front lens. The endothelial cell density counts were performed and results were compared. For additional validation of endothelial cells density results, separate counts were carried out using the specular microscope SP-1000 (Topcon). RESULTS: The healthy and pathologically changed corneal structures are imaged in a similar manner by both systems. The differences in quality of acquired images in contrast and brightness between the systems are debatable, although the laser system was more efficient for epithelium imaging and white light scanning slit was better for evaluation of endothelium. Some of the examinations completed with the laser system, which requires applanating its front lens to the cornea, imaged dark striae in posterior stroma and Descemet membrane folds, resembling those observed in corneal pathologies, whereas most were probably induced by the pressure applied to the cornea during examination. All the results of cell density (for patients and for subjects with no ophthalmic disease) counts performed with the RCM (laser system) were higher than those with the ConfoScan 3 (scanning slit system) by 36.7% +/- 11.9% (SD) and 30.2% +/- 11.3% higher than SP-1000 (specular). The difference in cell counts between the RCM and other methods was increasing at higher cell densities. CONCLUSIONS: The morphologic findings in examinations performed with the laser confocal microscopy system are generally comparable to white light scanning slit confocal microscopy. Direct applanation of the front lens of the laser system to the cornea may generate certain changes in confocal microscopy outcomes, including imaging of Descemet membrane folds and dark lines in stroma, which should be differentiated from pathologic alterations. Comparison of the endothelium cell density counts obtained with the 2 systems should be made cautiously because significant differences might occur--RCM configured with the Olympus x60 front lens was found to overestimate the results compared with both CS3 and SP-1000 microscopes, with the range of disparity increasing for higher cell densities.     

Twenty-three cases of primary cornea guttata

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical aspects of patients with primary cornea guttata and the specular microscopical findings/morphology in their corneal endothelial cells. METHODS: Twenty-three patients consulting Kanazawa Medical University Hospital or related hospitals in Ishikawa or Fukui prefectures and diagnosed with primary cornea guttata by slit-lamp examination underwent an analysis of their clinical features and corneal endothelial cells. RESULTS: Most cases were middle-aged to elderly women. None of them complained of visual impairment due to cornea guttata. The 46 eyes of these cases were included in this study. Specular microscopical findings revealed that the size and density of dark areas varied, with asymmetry noted in some cases. The parameters of the endothelial cells comprising mean cell area, the proportion of hexagonal cells, and the coefficient of variation, were almost within normal limits except for 1 eye of a 79-year-old man who was speculated to be at an early stage of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy. Three cases had undergone cataract surgery, but did not show significant changes in endothelial morphology before and after surgery. In a statistical study on endothelial cell morphology, cell parameters except for minimal cell area correlated significantly with age. Although the density and size of dark areas correlated with each other, neither correlated with any of the cell parameters. CONCLUSION: Cornea guttata does not lead to visual impairment or abnormalities in corneal endothelial cell parameters except for a small number of cases that must be considered to be at an early stage of Fuchs dystrophy.     

Confocal microscopy in cornea guttata and Fuchs'' endothelial dystrophy

AIMS: To report the appearances of cornea guttata and Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy from white light confocal microscopy. METHODS: Seven eyes of four consecutive patients with cornea guttata were prospectively examined. Of the seven eyes, three also had corneal oedema (Fuchs' dystrophy). In vivo white light tandem scanning confocal microscopy was performed in all eyes. Results were compared with non-contact specular microscopy. RESULTS: Specular microscopy was precluded by corneal oedema in one eye. In the remaining six eyes, it demonstrated typical changes including pleomorphism, polymegathism, and the presence of guttae appearing as dark bodies, some with a central bright reflex. In all seven eyes, confocal microscopy revealed the presence of round hyporeflective images with an occasional central highlight at the level of the endothelium. Changes in cell morphology and size were readily appreciated. CONCLUSION: By comparison with specular microscopy, the hyporeflective images with an occasional central highlight seen on confocal microscopy are consistent with the presence of guttae. Confocal microscopy may confirm the diagnosis of cornea guttata and Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy by demonstrating the presence of guttae. This technique is especially valuable in cases of corneal oedema, where specular microscopy may fail to visualise the endothelium. However, specular microscopy should remain the method of choice to evaluate the endothelium, principally because it is easier to use.     

Comparison of confocal biomicroscopy and noncontact specular microscopy for evaluation of the corneal endothelium

PURPOSE: To compare the clinical efficacy of confocal biomicroscopy with that of noncontact specular microscopy for the evaluation of the corneal endothelium. METHODS: The corneal endothelium was examined in 14 normal subjects (28 eyes) and in 6 patients (11 eyes) with Fuchs corneal endothelial dystrophy using a noncontact specular microscope (SP-2000P, Topcon, Japan) and a confocal biomicroscope (ConfoScan, Tomey, Japan). The images and the calculated densities of corneal endothelial cells obtained by the 2 techniques were compared. RESULTS: For normal subjects, the images of corneal endothelial cells obtained by the 2 techniques were almost identical, although the density of these cells determined by confocal biomicroscopy (2916 +/- 334 cells/mm2) was slightly higher than that determined by noncontact specular microscopy (2765 +/- 323 cells/mm2). In contrast, whereas clear images of corneal endothelial cells, allowing the determination of cell density, were obtained for all 11 eyes of the patient group by confocal biomicroscopy, clear images were obtained for only 4 of these 11 eyes (36.4%) by noncontact specular microscopy. CONCLUSION: Both noncontact specular microscopy and confocal biomicroscopy revealed the shapes and number of endothelial cells in the normal cornea. However, for corneas with Fuchs dystrophy, clear images were obtained only by confocal biomicroscopy. Confocal biomicroscopy is thus an effective tool for evaluation of the diseased corneal endothelium.     

The alterations in corneal structure at III/IV stage of keratoconus by means of confocal microscopy and ultrasound biomicroscopy before penetrating keratoplasty

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was in-real time observation and morphological evaluation of the human corneas at III/IV stage of keratoconus, using the scanning slit confocal microscope Confoscan P4 and ultrasound biomicroscopy--UBM. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The patients with keratoconus were examined according to the Amsler scale. The material consisted of 12 corneas of 11 patients (8 men, 3 women), where assessment of the corneal structure was performed with the confocal microscope ConfoScan P4 (Tomey) and ultrasound biomicroscopy--UBM Model 840 (Humphrey Instruments). The comparison of different corneal regions (central and peripheral) was evaluated. RESULTS: The confocal microscopy and UBM revealed thinning of the layers of the corneal structure and pathological changes in the central area, especially at IV stage of keratoconus. The desquamating superficial cells were elongated, arranged around the apex of the cornea. Below the Bowman's membrane a considerable disarrangement of collagen fibers reflected by bright background illumination was observed. In the posterior part of the stroma the folds were detected. The examination of the cornea showed thickening in the peripheral part, central detachment of the Descemet's membrane and the endothelium from the posterior surface of the cornea. The thickness of the cornea varied from 0.201 to 0.384 mm in the central part and 0.675 to 0.740 mm in the peripheral area. CONCLUSION: Confocal scanning microscopy combined with ultrasound biomicroscopy enables the cornea to be examined in vivo. It can be used to localize pathological changes in individual corneal layers and to assess their extent.     

In vivo confocal microscopy of megalocornea with central mosaic dystrophy

In vivo confocal microscopy was performed on the central cornea of both eyes of a patient with megalocornea and central mosaic dystrophy. In the stroma, starting just below Bowman's membrane, polygonal, moderately reflective areas of opacification separated by diagonal hyporeflective striations were observed. The opaque areas appeared smaller in the anterior stromal layers and seemed to get larger towards the posterior stroma. The epithelium, Bowman's membrane and endothelium appeared normal. In vivo confocal microscopy is helpful in evaluating the morphological characteristics of corneal dystrophies, degenerations or developmental abnormalities of the cornea, and may prove to be helpful in understanding their pathophysiology.     

Comparative anatomy of laboratory animal corneas with a new-generation high-resolution in vivo confocal microscope

PURPOSE: The aim of the current study was to compare the corneas of three commonly used laboratory animals with a new in vivo confocal microscope. METHODS: Six eyes of three adult male New Zealand albino rabbits, six eyes of three adult male Lewis rats, and six eyes of three adult male Swiss mice were used in this study. Corneas were analyzed in vivo using the Rostock Cornea Module of the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph (HRT)-II. For all eyes, 20 confocal microscopic images of each layer, that is, the superficial and basal corneal epithelia, the Bowman layer, the anterior and posterior stroma, and the endothelium, were recorded. The images were then analyzed qualitatively and compared among animals. Cellular densities of anterior and posterior stroma keratocytes of rabbits and endothelium density of the three different animals were also measured and compared. RESULTS: The Rostock Cornea Module of the HRT II was successfully used to analyze all corneal layers of these three commonly used laboratory animals. Although the cellular patterns of the corneal layers of these three animals, as observed with in vivo confocal microscopy, were quite similar, some differences were seen in terms of endothelial cell density and stroma appearance. Superficial cells were seen as hyper- and hyporeflective polygonal cells. Basal cells had dark cytoplasm without visible nuclei and were closely organized. A Bowman layer was observed in all three animals as an amorphous tissue containing fine subepithelial nerve plexus. In rabbits, the stroma consisted of an amorphous ground substance with hyper-reflective structures corresponding with keratocyte nuclei. In rats and mice, numerous reflective stellate structures with no clearly visible nuclei were observed within the stroma. Besides endothelial cell density, the endothelium was similar among the three animals and was seen as hyper-reflective cells with dark limits organized in a honeycomb pattern. CONCLUSIONS: The Rostock Cornea Module of the HRT II can provide high-resolution images of all corneal layers of rabbits, rats, and mice without sacrificing animals or preparing tissue. This new device may be useful for evaluating the cornea during experimental animal studies.     

In vivo confocal microscopy of fleck dystrophy

PURPOSE: To use in vivo confocal microscopy to evaluate corneas with fleck dystrophy. METHODS: Both eyes of three patients with corneal fleck dystrophy were examined with a scanning slit confocal microscope. Corneal epithelium, stroma, and endothelium were evaluated, as well as the basal epithelial and stromal nerves. RESULTS: The epithelium did not show any anomalies, but the basal nerves showed hyperreflective inclusions. Throughout the entire stroma, hyperreflective dots of various shapes were seen. These consisted mostly of spherical matter with a diameter of 3-5 microm and were sometimes enclosed in cyst-like structures. The majority of the stromal cells and stromal nerves appeared normal. The endothelial cell layer was unaffected. CONCLUSION: In vivo confocal microscopy demonstrates previously unreported inclusions in the basal nerves of fleck dystrophy corneas. In addition to this new finding, the study confirms earlier histopathologic reports, demonstrating accumulation of pathologic material in the stromal cells.     

Long-term microstructural changes following epikeratophakia: in vivo confocal microscopy study

The unilateral epikeratophakic eye of a 20-year-old woman with a history of congenital cataracts was examined using laser scanning in vivo confocal microscopy 17 years after transplantation. In vivo confocal microscopy demonstrated a reduced keratocyte density in the grafted lenticule and the host stroma, with unusual elongated and tortuous hyperreflective branching structures in the anterior stroma of the host cornea. The sub-basal nerve plexus was present in the lenticule, although with a reduced nerve density. The appearance of the host endothelium was similar to that observed in Fuchs endothelial dystrophy. Dramatic microstructural changes were observed in almost all layers of the cornea 17 years after epikeratophakia. Although no longer performed as routine practice, in vivo confocal microscopy examination of epikeratophakia has provided fascinating insight into the potential corneal adaptations at a cellular level.     

圆锥角膜各期的共焦显微镜表现

目的评价共焦显微镜在圆锥角膜临床研究中的应用价值。方法应用共焦显微镜观察圆锥角膜患者32例（48眼）及正常对照组17例（28眼），分别比较早、中、晚期圆锥角膜与正常对照组的图像特点。结果早期圆锥角膜出现激活状态的角膜细胞、浅基质层的细小皱褶、深基质层的暗纹、部分内皮细胞异形性明显，中、晚期圆锥角膜出现角膜上皮细胞拉伸、细胞核皱缩；基质细胞排列紊乱、基质层暗纹；而对照组未发现上述表现。各期圆锥角膜的角膜基质层厚度、不同深度角膜基质细胞密度、内皮细胞密度与对照组之间差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论共焦显微镜对早期圆锥角膜的发现以及圆锥角膜病理发展的研究具有重要的临床价值。     

激光共焦显微镜对正常人眼角膜缘和中央角膜的观察

目的应用激光共焦显微镜对正常人眼角膜缘和中央角膜的组织结构与细胞形态的观察和分析。方法选择15名正常人的28只眼接受常规裂隙灯显微镜和检眼镜检查后,作为正常健康眼入选本研究。使用激光共焦显微镜对其上、下方角膜缘和角膜中央区进行检查,各层角膜图像均被记录,观察组织结构和细胞形态,对细胞密度进行计数并分析。结果所获角膜缘和角膜中央各层平面图像(x,y轴)及纵向断层图像(z轴)均非常清晰,同时获取动态录像。上、下方角膜缘均呈现Vogt栅栏状结构,并动态观察到血细胞在血管内的流动。表层上皮细胞排列非常疏松,边界明亮,胞体发暗,上方和下方角膜缘表层上皮细胞平均密度分别为(812±297)个/mm2和(785±263)个/mm2,二者比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。上皮下可见明亮的Langerhans细胞,形态不规则,呈树枝状,上方和下方角膜缘Langerhans细胞平均密度分别为(288±102)个/mm2和(254±127)/mm2,二者比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。角膜中央表层上皮细胞排列疏松,边界发亮,胞体发暗,细胞平均密度为(1098±315)个/mm2,多于上方和下方角膜缘(P<0.05)。基底上皮细胞排列紧密。上皮下和前基质层可见反光强烈的神经纤维丛,旁边偶见明亮的Langerhans细胞,形态不规则,细胞密度难以计算。浅层的神经纤维细小、弯曲度大、多小分支,深层的神经纤维粗大、弯曲度小、少见分支。基质层暗背景下散在分布细长的基质细胞,边缘欠清,细胞核明亮呈纺锤形。内皮细胞为排列整齐的六边形细胞,胞体发亮,边界发暗。角膜中央全层、基质层、上皮层厚度分别为(543.0±62.9)、(462·0±69.5)、(59.9±11.2)μm。结论激光共焦显微镜不仅可以对角膜进行无创的、实时的、活体的检查,而且与传统的光学共焦显微镜相比,具有高清晰度、确切的深度定位、时间动态观察、纵向断层扫描等优势,更可提供理想的角膜缘图像,对角膜疾病尤其是角膜缘疾病的基础研究与临床诊断将更有价值。     

Twenty-three Cases of Primary Cornea Guttata

Purpose: An evaluation of the clinical aspects of patients with primary cornea guttata and the morphology of their corneal endothelial cells.Methods: Twenty-three patients who visited Kanazawa Medical University Hospital or related hospitals in Ishikawa or Fukui prefectures and were diagnosed as having primary cornea guttata by slit lamp microscopy and contact specular microscopy underwent an analysis of corneal endothelial cells as well as their clinical status.Results: In 23 cases, the number of men and young people under 30 years of age was low, with 4 and 2 cases respectively. There was no visual impairment due to cornea guttata. In the specular microscopic findings, the size and density of dark areas varied according to each case and there was asymmetry in some cases. The parameters of the endothelial cells, comprising mean cell area, hexagonality, and the coefficient of variation, were almost within normal limits except for one eye of a 79-year-old man who was speculated to be at an early stage of Fuch's endothelial corneal dystrophy. Three cases had received cataract surgery, but showed no statistical changes in endothelial morphology before or after the surgery.Conclusion: Cornea guttata is thought to be a disease which is not uncommon in Japanese people and which does not bring about visual impairment or abnormalities in corneal endothelial cell parameters except for a small number of patients. Such cases with remarkably decreased cell densities should be considered to be at an early stage of Fuch's dystrophy.     

Twenty-three cases of primary cornea guttata

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical aspects of patients with primary cornea guttata and the morphology of their corneal endothelial cells. METHODS: Twenty-three patients who visited Kanazawa Medical University Hospital or related hospitals in Ishikawa or Fukui prefectures and were diagnosed as having primary cornea guttata by slit lamp microscopy and contact specular microscopy underwent an analysis of corneal endothelial cells as well as their clinical status. RESULTS: In 23 cases, the number of men and young people under 30 years of age was low, with 4 and 2 cases respectively. There was no visual impairment due to cornea guttata. In the specular microscopic findings, the size and density of dark areas varied according to each case and there was asymmetry in some cases. The parameters of the endothelial cells, comprising mean cell area, hexagonality, and the coefficient of variation, were almost within normal limits except for 1 eye of a 79-year-old man who was speculated to be at an early stage of Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy. Three cases had received cataract surgery, but showed no statistical changes in endothelial morphology before or after the surgery. CONCLUSION: Cornea guttata is thought to be a disease which is not uncommon in Japanese people and which does not bring about visual impairment or abnormalities in corneal endothelial cell parameters except for a small number of patients. Such cases with remarkably decreased cell densities should be considered to be at an early stage of Fuchs' dystrophy.     

In vivo confocal microscopy in the patients with cornea farinata

PURPOSE: To report in vivo corneal confocal microscopic findings of patients with cornea farinata. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two unrelated patients, a 47-year-old man and a 77-year-old woman, with cornea farinata were studied. Examination with a confocal microscope was performed in addition to routine slit-lamp biomicroscopy. RESULTS: In both cases, slit-lamp biomicroscopy showed numerous small, faint opacities in the deep stroma in both eyes. Using confocal microscopy, highly reflective small particles were observed in the cytoplasm of keratocytes in the deep stroma adjacent to the corneal endothelial layer. No abnormalities could be detected in the epithelial layer, in the mid-stromal layer, at the level of Descemet's membrane, and in the endothelial layer. CONCLUSIONS: In vivo corneal confocal microscopy is useful for observing stromal abnormalities in cornea farinata. Further investigation of posterior stromal opacities using confocal microscopy may be useful to understand and differentiate various corneal conditions involving primarily deep stromal layers.     

Confocal microscopy in posterior polymorphous corneal dystrophy.

PURPOSE: To report the distinguishing characteristics of posterior polymorphous corneal dystrophy (PPMD) using confocal microscopy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two consecutive patients with PPMD were prospectively examined using a white-light tandem scanning confocal microscope with a 24x/0.60 contact objective. RESULTS: At the level of Descement's membrane, roundish hyporeflective images were found in 1 patient. In the other patient, hyporeflective bands were detected. In both patients, patchy hyperreflective areas were identified. CONCLUSION: Confocal microscopy may allow diagnosis of PPMD by demonstrating the alterations in Descement's membrane. This technique is especially valuable in cases of endothelial decompensation, where slit-lamp and specular microscopy may fail to demonstrate changes in Descement's membrane.     

Imaging the microstructural abnormalities of meesmann corneal dystrophy by in vivo confocal microscopy

PURPOSE: To delineate the microstructural features of Meesmann corneal dystrophy using in vivo confocal microscopy. METHOD: Three subjects with clinically diagnosed Meesmann corneal dystrophy were examined by slit-lamp biomicroscopy and slit-scanning in vivo confocal microscopy. RESULTS: On slit-lamp biomicroscopy, all subjects demonstrated large bilateral multiple epithelial cystic lesions extending to the midperiphery. On in vivo confocal microscopy, these lesions appeared as hyporeflective areas in the basal epithelial layer. The majority were circular, oval or teardrop shaped and ranged between 48 mum and 145 mum in diameter. Large elongated intraepithelial clefts were also seen. Reflective spots were visible within most of the lesions and these may represent the fibrillogranular material (termed peculiar substance) and tonofilament bundles observed in electron microscopy studies. An additional finding was the fragmented appearance of the subbasal nerve plexus. CONCLUSION: We present the first case series of Meesmann corneal dystrophy imaged by in vivo confocal microscopy and describe the associated microstructural features. Delineation of these features facilitates the use of the confocal microscope to aid diagnosis and management of corneal dystrophies.     

圆锥角膜的共焦显微镜表现临床分级

目的 观察临床上不同阶段圆锥角膜的共焦显微镜图像，推测圆锥角膜的病理发展过程，并进行圆锥角膜的共焦显微镜分级。方法 采用共焦显微镜（Confoscan 2．0），观察24例24眼不同发展阶段（lawless分期）圆锥角膜患者的角膜共焦显微镜图像，进行分析并提出焦显微镜下的临床分分期。结果 共焦显微镜下圆锥角膜首先出现了排列规则的裂隙状暗纹，随着病情的不断进展，病变逐渐由角膜后弹力层向前发展，逐渐累及角膜的后基质和前基质，同时角膜基质细胞核拉长、排列出现紊乱，前后基质细胞失去了原有特征。急性圆锥角膜的患者角膜基质细胞出现水肿，角膜瘢痕在共焦显微镜下呈强反光的无细胞样结构。讨论 共焦显微镜下圆锥角膜的病理发展过程，是从角膜后弹力层开始，由后向前发展，逐渐累及角膜的后基质、前期基质，最后角膜破裂引起急性圆锥角膜，角膜出现水肿，愈合后遗留瘢痕。据此提出圆锥角膜共焦显微镜分期将为四个阶段：第一阶段、角膜裂隙样暗纹累及角膜后弹力层；第二阶段、角膜裂隙样暗纹累及角膜后后基质；第三阶段、角膜裂隙样暗纹累及角膜前基质；第四阶段、出现角膜基质水肿或者瘢痕。     

Differential diagnosis of corneal oedema assisted by in vivo confocal microscopy

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate microstructural differences between clinically similar, but aetiologically different, cases of corneal oedema in four subjects. In vivo confocal microscopy highlighted oedema of the basal epithelium, prominent nerve–keratocyte interactions, and typical ‘epithelialization’ of the endothelium in a case of iridocorneal endothelial syndrome; however, a similar microstructural appearance was observed in a case of presumed herpetic disciform keratitis. The latter diagnosis was subsequently revised on this basis. Confocal examination of Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy demonstrated oedema of the basal epithelium, prominent wing cells, anterior stromal alterations, fibrosis of Descemet’s membrane and a typical ‘strawberry’ appearance of the endothelium. In contrast, in vivo microstructural examination of bilateral keratoconus with hydrops confirmed oedema mainly involving the epithelium and anterior stroma. In vivo confocal microscopy allows the clinician to observe the living cornea at a microstructural level and to better diagnose and differentiate borderline or unusual cases of corneal oedema.     

In vivo confocal microscopy of pre-endothelial deposits

BACKGROUND: Deposits in various layers of the cornea might result from long-term medical therapy, photorefractive surgery, and longterm use of contact lenses or corneal dystrophies. METHODS: A 46-year-old woman was referred to our department with the suspected diagnosis of posterior polymorphous dystrophy. Slit-lamp biomicroscopy revealed bilateral small-sized deposits in the posterior part of the cornea. In vivo confocal microscopy was performed to evaluate these deposits in detail. RESULTS: In vivo confocal microscopy of the cornea identified hyperreflec-tive "dot-like" structures in the deep stromal layer and anterior to the endothelial cell layer. The morphology and number of keratocytes of the posterior stroma and of endothelial cells appeared normal. CONCLUSIONS: In vivo confocal microscopy is a very useful tool to analyze and visualize pre-endothelial deposits. Because there is no family history of corneal disease, the exact origin of the pre-endothelial deposits in our case remains unclear.