WIDE-FIELD SCANNING SLIT IN-VIVO CONFOCAL MICROSCOPY OF FLATTENING-INDUCED CORNEAL BANDS AND RIDGES

We used a wide field scanning slit confocal microscope to examine the response of die in vivo human cornea to flattening. Flattening-induced effects consisted of (1) anterior corneal mosaic, which appeared as a meshwork of intersecting stromal and Bowman's layer bands with overly ing epithelial ridges; (2) deep and middle stromal bands, which were n arrower than and unrelated in position to the anterior corneal mosaic; and (3) posterior surface ridges. The posterior surface ridges projec ted posteriorly into the anterior chamber consisted of endothelium, De scemet's membrane, and posterior stroma, and were unrelated in positio n to posterior stromal bands. Confocal microscopy is a promising modal ity in the examination of die cornea and its response to mechanical st ress.