MORPHOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF CORNEAL ENDOTHELIAL GIANT-CELLS IN NORMAL AND TRAUMATIZED CORNEAS

Corneal endothelial cells from normal and traumatized human, primate, cat and rabbit eyes were studied by specular microscopy. Morphometric analysis was performed on micrographs of corneal endothelium using a s emi-automated image analysis system. The results showed that under nor mal conditions the corneal endothelium of all four species exhibit maj or morphological similarities (mean cell areas: human 317 +/- 32 mu m( 2), primate 246 +/- 22 mu m(2) (sic) 357 +/- 25 mu m(2), rabbit 308 +/ - 35 mu m(2)). The normal corneal endothelium in man was found to be m ore polymegethous than that of the other species. Trauma to cat, prima te and human corneas resulted in a long-term reduction in endothelial cell density and enhanced polymegethism. In contrast, the reparative r esponse of the rabbit ensured the reformation of an essentially normal monolayer following injury. Endothelial giant cells were a normal inc lusion in the rabbit corneal endothelium but were only significant in cat, primate and man following trauma. The presence of corneal endothe lial giant cells in amitotic corneas may therefore represent a compens atory response in the absence of mitotic potential.