Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 29, 2026
Whole Mount Imaging to Visualize and Quantify Peripheral Lens Structure, Cell Morphology, and Organization
Published on: January 19, 2024
In vivo laser confocal microscopic analysis of murine cornea and lens microstructures
Masashi Yuasa1, Akira Kobayashi, Hideaki Yokogawa
1Department of Ophthalmology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa, Japan.
Background And Objective:
The purpose of the current study is to investigate in vivo microstructures of anterior segments of normal murine eyes by new-generation in vivo laser confocal microscopy.
Materials And Methods:
Twenty-six corneas and lenses from 13 mice were analyzed by in vivo laser confocal microscopy.
Results:
Murine corneal superficial cells formed a polygonal cell pattern, with a mean cell density of 577 +/- 115 cells/mm2 (mean +/- standard deviation). Corneal basal epithelial cells had dark cytoplasm and were closely organized (9,312 +/- 1,777 cells/mm2). Sub-basal nerve fiber bundles were arranged in a whorl pattern, with both clockwise and counter-clockwise patterns. In the stroma, keratocytes were observed as numerous reflective stellate structures. The endothelial cells were organized in a honeycomb pattern (2,463 +/- 292 cells/mm2). Deeper inside the eye, murine lens epithelial cells were organized in a regular pattern (4,168 +/- 636 cells/mm2) and numerous lens fibers were observed.
Conclusion:
In vivo laser confocal microscopy can provide high-resolution images of all corneal layers and lens structures of mice without sacrificing animals or tissue preparation.
