CONFOCAL LIGHT-MICROSCOPY AND SCANNING ELECTRON-MICROSCOPY OF THE HUMAN EYE LENS

The potential of confocal light microscopy (CLM) for in vivo observati on of pathology in the anterior pole of the eye lenses was evaluated b y performing an in vitro study of human lenses comparing this type of microscopy with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In vitro CLM showe d high resolution images of the epithelium which would enable early de tection of pathology and easily allows cell counting and estimating ce ll size. Superficial lens fibres are well visualized and low and high frequency bands as well as vacuolar elements were easily detected. SEM observations fully supported the CLM observations. This study shows t hat CLM has the potential to become a useful tool for detecting lens c hanges, after suitable adaptation for clinical use. (C) 1997 Academic Press Limited.