title: Surface cell morphology of the anesthetic human cornea: a color specular microscopic study.
abstract: The technique of color specular microscopy has been utilized to study the surface cell morphology of the human cornea in 6 subjects with profound corneal anesthesia from diverse causes. In an analysis of cell area, perimeter, and shape, anesthetic corneas showed a statistically significant increase in cell size and perimeter. In addition, there was a loss of cellular outlines and overall increase in rose bengal staining of cells. We believe that these cellular microscopic changes reflect profound changes in epithelial cell turnover related to a decrease in neurohumoral transmitters known to be necessary for maintenance of normal corneal morphology and function.
authors.affiliation: Cornea Service, Georgetown University, Medical Center, Washington, DC.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Lemp
authors.forename: W D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Mathers
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Gold
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003116:Color; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007634:Keratitis / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008853:Microscopy / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D010781:Photography; D012395:Rose Bengal; D012677:Sensation; D012984:Software
chemical_list: D012395:Rose Bengal