[On-line mapping of corneal structures with in vivo laser scanning microscopy]

The aim of this study was to design and evaluate online mapping of human corneal structures by in vivo laser scanning confocal microscopy.

Six human corneae (four from healthy volunteers, two after LASIK,) were examined with confocal microscopy based on the confocal laser scanning microscope type Heidelberg Retina Tomograph II and Rostock cornea module. In each case an on-line mapping with max. size up to 3.2 x 3.2 mm (3072 x 3072 pixel) was performed.

On-line mapping was performed to demonstrate the structures of the healthy cornea (epithelium, subepithelial nerve plexus, endothelium) as well as postoperative wound healing processes after LASIK. The quality and size of the image are considerably influenced by compliance of the patient and experience of the investigator.

On-line mapping of cornea with in vivo confocal microscopy allows one to perform a large area 2D reconstruction and analyses of normal and pathological cornea. The presented method is considerably better than existing off-line reconstruction possibilities in terms of image quality and time consumption and affords an opportunity for further experimental and clinical studies.