[In vitro semi-automated morphometry of preserved human corneal endothelium]

Cellular morphometry allows us to quantify the structural alterations of the corneal endothelium. Our study was a semi-automatized in vitro analysis of fresh and preserved corneal endothelium (MK medium cryopreservation). The equipment used was the Quantimeter 720 connected to a Digital PDP1123 computer. Nineteen corneas were studied and the following cellular parameters were established: perimeter, surface area, form factor and polymorphism coefficient. The computer program used was the SPSS/PC (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) and the principal statistical tests were the Bartlett test and variance analysis. The statistical computerized study allowed us to compare the four cellular parameters and to establish the incidence rate of the conservation process on endothelial morphometry. The statistical and morphometry methods have proved to be reproducible and reliable and carry a supplementary quantitative element to analyse the influence of the conservation process.