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Donor corneal cell density measurement possible with confocal microscopy
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White light confocal microscopy can be used for high-magnification imaging and evaluation of the endothelium in preserved donor corneas, a study suggests. However, image quality is generally lower than that of in vivo examinations, and technical adaptations are needed before it should be applied to corneas intended for transplantation, the author noted.
Jacek P. Szaflik, MD, examined 16 donated corneas using the ConfoScan 3 confocal scanning microscope (Nidek Technologies) and the Konan Eye Bank KeratoAnalyzer specular microscope (Konan Medical). All corneal tissues had been preserved at 4°C but were excluded from surgical use because of serological or morphologic reasons, according to the study.
Both systems produced similar mean measurements of endothelial cell density — 2,168.6 ± 404 cells/mm² using the specular microscope and 2,090.9 ± 369.1 cells/mm² using the confocal microscope, Dr. Szaflik reported.
The study is published in the April issue of Cornea.