J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2002 Jun;43(6):953-958.

Confocal Microscopic Findings of Keratoconus

• Lee JS
• Hong JW
• Han YS

Abstract

PURPOSE: To report the confocal morphological changes of keratoconus in comparison with that of normal cornea.
METHODS
Confocal microscopy (ConfoScan 2.0, Fortune Technology, Italy) was used to obtain data from healthy volunteers and keratoconus. We evaluated corneal morphological images of the corneal epithelium, Bowman's layer, stromal layer (anterior, middle, and posterior keratocyte), Descemet's membrane, and endothelium.
RESULTS
In keratoconus cornea, the wing cells of epithelium had somewhat irregular margin, and the subepithelial nerve bundle was slightly enlarged. Near Bowman's membrane, highly reflective changes and tear like structure were visible. While the anterior stromal keratocyte had nuclei with a highly reflective density and indefinite cell border, posterior keratocyte had a more distinct shape with less cellularity. Near descemet's membrane, vertical fold (Vogt's striae) was observed and keratocytes with long processes arranged nearly in parallel. Morphological change was not observed in the endothelium.
CONCLUSIONS
Our confocal microscopic findings of keratoconus may help early diagnosis and assessment of prognosis in the management of keratoconus.

Keyword

Confocal microscopy; Keratoconus; Vogt's striae

MeSH Terms

Bowman Membrane
Cornea
Descemet Membrane
Early Diagnosis
Endothelium
Epithelium
Epithelium, Corneal
Healthy Volunteers
Keratoconus*
Microscopy, Confocal
Prognosis