[Three-dimensional confocal laser scanning microscopy of the corneal nerve structure].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was the evaluation of a technology for in vivo visualization of distribution and morphology of corneal nerves by means of 3D confocal laser scanning microscopy (3D-CLSM).


METHODS
The anterior corneas of four human volunteers were examined by an in-house developed confocal laser scanning microscope based on a commercially available instrument (Heidelberg Retina Tomograph II, Heidelberg Engineering GmbH, Germany). Raw stacks were converted using ImageJ (NIH, USA) for 3D-reconstruction using AMIRA 3.1 (TGS Inc, USA).


RESULTS
The spatial arrangement of epithelium, nerves and keratocytes was visualized by in vivo 3D-CLSM. After 3D-reconstruction of volunteers' corneas, volume rendering and selective oblique sections have been done to demonstrate the nerves in the central human cornea. 3D-imaging shows thick nerve bundles rising out of the deeper stroma. The nerves further divide, resulting in fibers that are arranged parallel to Bowman's layer and are partly interconnected. Branches rising up to the superficial cell layer cannot be visualized. Wound healing following refractive surgery can be evaluated.


CONCLUSIONS
3D-CLSM allows in vivo visualization and analysis of the spatial arrangement of the epithelium, nerves and keratocytes of the human cornea. The developed method provides a basis for further studies on the alterations of the cellular arrangement and epithelial innervation in corneal diseases. This may help to clarify gross variations of nerve fiber patterns under various clinical and experimental conditions.
Stachs
O
O
Augenklinik der Universität Rostock, Medizinische Facultät, Doberaner Strasse 140, 18055 Rostock. oliver.stachs@med.uni-rostock.de
Knappe
S
S
Zhivov
A
A
Kraak
R
R
Stave
J
J
Guthoff
R F
RF
D000328:Adult; D003315:Cornea / Q000166:cytology* / Q000294:innervation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D009882:Ophthalmic Nerve / Q000166:cytology*; D019721:Ophthalmoscopes; D009887:Ophthalmoscopy / Q000379:methods; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013673:Technology Assessment, Biomedical