EXAMINATION OF THE CORNEA OF INTACT DONOR EYES WITH CONFOCAL SLIT-SCANNING VIDEO-MICROSCOPY

The specular microscopic examination of the endothelium of intact dono r eyes can be rendered difficult or even impossible due to light scatt ering of stromal edema. We have been able to visualize large areas of the corneal endothelium of a donor eye with advanced stromal edema - s tored for over 32 h. in a moist chamber - with a confocal slit-scannin g video microscope. Furthermore, this optical arrangement enables the examination of very thin tissue sections with high resolution and a re markably enhanced contrast of the corneal micromorphology (epithelial cells, Bowman's membrane, nerve fibers, keratocytes, endothelial cells ).