Specular microscopy to determine corneal endothelial cell morphology and morphometry in chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera)in vivo

Evaluation of equine corneal endothelium after exposure to 0.05% brilliant blue - an in vitro study

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the immediate effects of 0.05% brilliant blue on corneal endothelium of horses. Thirty-eight corneas of 19 horses, male or female, of different ages were studied. Corneas were randomly divided into two groups. Group 1: Corneal endothelium was covered with 0.3mL of brilliant blue 0.05% for 60 seconds followed by rinsing with a balanced salt solution. Group 2: Corneal endothelium was covered with BSS for 60 seconds. The corneas were excised with an 8mm trephine and prepared to analyze posterior endothelial surface using a light microscope (24 corneas) and a scanning electron microscope (14 corneas). The equine posterior corneal endothelium surface observed by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy revealed a continuous layer of polygonal cells of uniform size and shape in both the control and treatment groups. Due to non-normal residuals at ANOVA mean comparison, a generalized linear model was utilized at 5% level of significance. The chi-square test stated that treatment and control group were not different statistically. The 0.05% brilliant blue did not cause damage to equine corneal endothelium.

Ocular Surface Disease in Rodents (Guinea Pigs, Mice, Rats, Chinchillas)

This article discusses the clinical appearance, differential diagnoses, and treatment considerations of corneal disease in the most common domesticated species of rodent: mouse, rat, chinchilla, and guinea pig. Many corneal diseases are related to inbred strains of either research or pet rodents. Diseases are complicated by husbandry and treatment-related challenges in this small, social species. This article is broken down by species, first discussing normal anatomy, then discussing commonly encountered diseases, and concluding with treatment considerations.

Age-related changes of corneal endothelial cell in healthy Chinese tree shrew measured by non-contact specular microscope

AIM

To determine the impact of age on the morphology of endothelial cells and central corneal thickness (CCT) in Chinese tree shrew.

METHODS

One-hundred and twenty eyes of 60 healthy Chinese tree shrews were studied. Based on age, the tree shrews were divided into four groups. After general anesthesia, the images of endothelium were acquired using non-contact specular microscope Topcon 3000P. Eight parameters of corneal endothelial cells were measured by built-in software, including CCT, endothelial cell density (ECD), percent hexagonality (HG%), coefficient of variability (CV), size of minimal cell (Smin), size of maximal cell (Smax), average cells size (Savg) and size standard deviation (Ssd). Data were analyzed using STATA software. The differences of eight parameters among groups and correlations with age were analyzed.

RESULTS

In all studied animals, the average CCT was 249.6±20.29 µm (202-301 µm), ECD was 3080.72± 460.76 cells/mm² (1239.6-4047.6 cells/mm²) and CV was 29.10±7.60 (13.6-54.6). CV was significantly different among different groups (P<0.001). Strong correlation with age was found in ECD, Smax, Savg, Ssd and CV.

CONCLUSION

Cornea of Chinese tree shrews had half CCT of human cornea and similar ECD, CV and size of corneal endothelial cells. Young adult tree shrews had higher ECD, HG% and low CV. ECD, Smax, Savg, Ssd and CV correlated with age significantly.

Ophthalmic parameters in adult lowland paca (Cuniculus paca) raised in captivity

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the ophthalmic parameters of lowland pacas, including the anatomic features, tear production, intraocular pressure, central corneal thickness, and morphology of the corneal endothelium.

ANIMALS STUDIED

Thirteen adult, anesthetized Cuniculus paca.

PROCEDURE

Eyes were evaluated using slit-lamp biomicroscopy, the Schirmer tear test I, digital applanation tonometry, binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy, and noncontact specular microscopy.

RESULTS

The biomicroscopy findings showed blue/brown pigmented bulbar conjunctivae, well-developed cilia (only in the upper eyelid margin), superior and inferior lacrimal puncta, brown irides, round pupils, and vestiges of the nictitating membrane. The results of the Schirmer tear test I revealed (mean ± SD) a lacrimation rate of 4.10 ± 0.44 mm/min. The intraocular pressure was 6.34 ± 0.43 mmHg. Central corneal thickness measured by specular microscopy was 0.35 ± 0.01 mm. The mean values of density, hexagonality, and the area of the endothelial cells were 2083.15 ± 42.47 cells/mm² , 67.07 ± 3.30%, and 486.30 ± 9.56 μm² , respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The ocular parameters defined in this study may be used for reference in future studies and might also contribute to therapeutic approaches appropriate to this species.

Corneal Endothelial Cell Density in Children: Normative Data From Birth to 5 Years Old

PURPOSE

To establish a normative database of endothelial cell density (ECD) using in vivo specular microscopy in children under 5 years old.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

METHODS

Specular microscopy was performed during a clinic visit in cooperative children in the standard upright position. In uncooperative children, specular microscopy was performed in the lateral decubitus position under general anesthesia, before surgery for other reasons. Corneal diameter (CD) was measured in children undergoing general anesthesia and was stratified according to age.

RESULTS

One hundred and eighteen eyes of 118 patients were included in the study. The mean patient age was 2.6 ± 1.4 years (range 0.1-5 years) and the mean ECD was 3746 ± 370 cells/mm² (range 3145-5013 cells/mm²). The mean CD under 2 years of age was 11.85 ± 0.57 mm (n = 40, range 10.50-12.75 mm). Up to 2 years of age, ECD was more inversely correlated with CD than with age (r = -0.61, P < .0001; r = -0.38, P = .01, respectively). In contrast, after the age of 2 years, the ECD was inversely correlated with age but not with CD (r = -0.27, P = .02; r = -0.24, P = .2). Between the first and second year of life, the rate of ECD decrease was significantly higher than between 2 and 5 years of age (8.2%, 334 cells/mm² vs 2.7%, 100 cells/mm² a year, respectively).

CONCLUSION

In the first 2 years of life there is a rapid decline in ECD, which is likely related to growth in CD and hence surface area. After the cornea reaches adult size, the ECD decreases at a rate similar to that reported in adults.

Effects of intracameral brilliant blue on the corneal endothelium of swine: in vitro study

Abstract: The aim was to investigate the ultrastructural changes in the corneal endothelium of pigs induced by intracameral 0.05% brilliant blue. Twenty swine corneas were separated into two groups, the right eye bulbs (control group) and the left eye bulbs (experimental group) of the same animal. All the eye bulbs were evaluated with specular microscopy. The cornea of the right eye bulbs was excised and in the left eye bulbs 0.2ml of 0.05% brilliant blue vital dye (OPTH-blue±) was injected into the anterior chamber, where it remained for one minute. Then the anterior chamber was cleaned with a balanced salt solution injection and the cornea was excised too. All the corneas were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy to evaluate the changes on the endothelium caused by the brilliant blue dye. There were no significant differences between the right corneal endothelium cells and the left corneal endothelium cells with scanning electron microscopy after intracameral use of 0.05% brilliant blue dye. The 0.05% brilliant blue dye concentration did not cause deleterious effects for the swine corneal endothelium after intracameral use and can be a choice for safe staining of the anterior capsule of the lens in cataract surgery.