J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2002 Apr;43(4):739-744.

Confocal Microscopic Corneal Findings in the Normal Rabbit and Human

• Lee JS
• Jong WH
• Kim KH

Abstract

PURPOSE: Although a confocal microscopy has been largely used, there has been no domestic report concerning the normal structure of rabbit and human cornea by confocal microscope. In this study, we investigated confocal microscopic morphology of normal cornea of rabbit and human. MEHTODS: Using confocal microscope (ConfoScan 2.0, Fortune Technology, Italy), cross-sectioned corneal images of the corneal epithelium, Bowman's layer, stromal layer (anterior, middle, and posterior keratocyte), Descemet 's membrane, and endothelium were examined in vivo.
RESULTS
In normal rabbit corneas, the superficial epithelium was polygonal and Bowman's layer was wrinkled. The stromal keratocyte nuclei was elliptical anteriorly and was with less cellularity posteriorly. The endothelium of rabbit was uniform, hexagonal in shape and had highly reflective cell borders. In human corneas, the superficial epithelium had highly reflective nuclei and regular wing cell or subepithelial nerve plexus was visible. Bowman's layer was fold-like structure. The shape of anterior and middle keratocyte nuclei were polygonal, but posterior keratocyte was oval shape. Also the nerve plexus of middle stromal layer was visible and the nucleus of endothelial cell was reflective hexagonal shape.
CONCLUSIONS
The normal corneal morphological findings were studied by confocal microscopy. These data might provide the useful informations for the diagnosis of corneal disease.

Keyword

Confocal microscopy; Human; Rabbit

MeSH Terms

Cornea
Corneal Diseases
Diagnosis
Endothelial Cells
Endothelium
Epithelium
Epithelium, Corneal
Humans*
Membranes
Microscopy, Confocal