J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2002 Oct;43(10):1852-1857.

Ultrastructural Changes of Corneal Epithelium and Basement Membrane in Neurotrophic Corneal Ulcer

• Kim YT
• Kim JG

Abstract

PURPOSE: Neurotrophic keratitis is corneal epithelial defects and stromal thinning associated with loss of sensory function in the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve. The purpose of this study was to determine the ultrastructural changes of corneal epithelium and basement membrane in neurotrophic keratitis.
METHODS
The corneal tissues were obtained from the elevated margin of corneal ulcer in 5 patients with neurotrophic keratitis. Electron microscopic studies were performed.
RESULTS
Degenerated epithelial cells, widened intercellular spaces and infiltrated inflammatory cells were observed. In addition, discontinuous basement membrane and loss of adhesion complex including hemidesmosome, anchoring fibril and anchoring plaque were found.
CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that ultrastructural pathology of persistent epithelial defect and inadequate healing of neurotrophic keratitis are loss of adheson complex, discontinuous basement membrane, degenerated epithelial cells, and infiltrating inflammatory cells.

Keyword

Adhesion complex; Basement membrane; Neurotrophic keratitis

MeSH Terms

Basement Membrane*
Corneal Ulcer*
Epithelial Cells
Epithelium, Corneal*
Extracellular Space
Hemidesmosomes
Humans
Keratitis
Pathology
Sensation
Trigeminal Nerve