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。(

Morphologic characteristics of cornea in Fuchs endothelial dystrophy observed by confocal microscopy

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the image of corneas with Fuchs endothelial dystrophy using confocal microscopy in vivo. METHODS: Central corneas of 38 eyes (19 patients aged 33 approximately 76 years) were examined using scanning slit confocal microscopy in vivo after being diagnosed with Fuchs endothelial dystrophy. They were divided into two groups namely symptomatic (19 eyes) and asymptomatic (19 eyes). The control group comprised of 30 normal eyes. The images were analyzed visually for morphology of corneas and the densities of cells, as well as the diameter of the guttae and the corneal nerves were counted by NAVIS software. RESULTS: (1) In the symptomatic groups, confocal microscopy revealed guttae in 19 eyes. The diameter of the guttae ranged from 20 to 60 micro m. The density of endothelial cells was statistically significant compared with the control group (t = 18.74, P < 0.01). Descemet's membrane was thickened in 9 eyes. Dark bands 6.0 approximately 10.8 micro m in diameter were detected in 14 eyes. All eyes showed a diffuse increased light reflection in the stroma.17 eyes exhibited an abnormal Bowman's layer: multiple focal bright reflection. 10 eyes revealed normal corneal nerves. The differences between posterior and anterior keratocyte densities in the control and study groups were not statistically significantly different (t = 0.854, 1.173; P = 0.38, 0.24 respectively). (2) In the asymptomatic groups, less number of guttae could be seen in the endothelial layer. The diameter of the guttae was 15 approximately 40 micro m. The densities of endothelial cells were not significantly different compared with control group (t = 1.998, P = 0.053). Other layers of the cornea exhibited no other abnormal phenomenon. The densities of endothelial cells between symptomatic and asymptomatic groups were statistically significantly different (t = 8.352, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Morphologic characteristics of cornea are observed by confocal microscopy in Chinese patients with Fuchs endothelial dystrophy. Preliminary results demonstrate that there is no significant difference between Chinese and western patients. Confocal microscopy allows to diagnose Fuchs dystrophy and visualize endothelial cells within the swollen cornea. And it is especially useful for patients whose endothelial cells can not be seen with non-contact specular microscopy.