Morphology of corneal nerves using confocal microscopy

Citation
L. Oliveira-soto et N. Efron, Morphology of corneal nerves using confocal microscopy, CORNEA, 20(4), 2001, pp. 374-384
Citations number
33
Categorie Soggetti
Optalmology
Journal title
CORNEA
ISSN journal
02773740 → ACNP
Volume
20
Issue
4
Year of publication
2001
Pages
374 - 384
Database
ISI
SICI code
0277-3740(200105)20:4<374:MOCNUC>2.0.ZU;2-0
Abstract
Purpose. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the distribution and morphology of corneal nerves as seen by means of white light confocal micro scopy. Methods. This study analyzed images of corneal nerves that were obta ined using the Tomey Confoscan slit scanning confocal microscope (40x/0.75 objective lens). The images were classified according to their location wit hin the cornea. The objective and subjective evaluation of the images invol ved measuring, grading, or judging a number of parameters from both individ ual pictures and from each single nerve fiber within any image. Results. Th e in vivo observations made in this work are in agreement with those of pre vious histologic studies. The general scheme of corneal innervation is desc ribed as originating from thick and straight stromal nerve trunks that exte nd lateral and anteriorly and give rise to plexiform arrangements of progre ssively thinner nerve fibers at several levels within the stroma. From ther e. nerve fibers perforate Bowman's layer and eventually form a dense neural plexus just beneath the basal epithelial cell layer, which is characterize d by tortuous and thin beaded nerve fibers interconnected by numerous nerve elements; nerve fibers from this plexus are known to be responsible for th e innervation of the epithelium. Conclusion. This study provides convincing evidence of the suitability of confocal microscopy to image corneal nerves , the only; drawback being the limited resolution in terms of the different iation of the ultrastructure of nerve bundles.