Microscopy

Noninvasive diagnostic methods such as dermoscopy and confocal reflectance microscopy may have utility in minimizing biopsy use in predicting progression of actinic keratosis to carcinoma, according to a study.

Reflectance confocal microscopy was more effective than dermoscopy or high-frequency ultrasonography in guiding radiation treatment in a small cohort of patients with basal cell carcinoma, according to a study.

Corneal transplantation has continued to improve over time and has reached significant heights in recent times with selective tissue transplantation, namely Descemet’s membrane endothelial keratoplasty. In patients with a cloudy cornea secondary to endothelial decompensation, DMEK offers selective replacement of the recipient Descemet’s membrane and its decompensated endothelium with a donor Descemet’s membrane and healthy endothelial cells. Such an advanced endothelial allotransplantation technique provides a near normal anatomic restoration of the recipient cornea along with markedly improved vision over a relatively short period of postoperative time. Early recovery of vision with DMEK results in satisfied patients who can return to their normal activities faster compared with other corneal transplantation techniques. DMEK and other forms of selective tissue corneal transplantation have continued to raise the bar for restoration of vision in cases of corneal blindness.