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Corneal endothelial cell shrinkage after critical point drying
Annals of Ophthalmology
|October 1, 1980
Summary
Critical point drying causes significant, variable shrinkage in corneal endothelial cells. Researchers must account for individual specimen shrinkage when comparing cell size or density to ensure accurate results.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Microscopy techniques
- Cell biology
Background:
- Specular microscopy and scanning electron microscopy are used to study corneal endothelial cells.
- Accurate cell measurements are crucial for understanding corneal health and disease.
- The effects of sample preparation techniques on cell morphology require careful consideration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the degree of shrinkage in rabbit corneal endothelial cells after critical point drying.
- To assess the variability of this shrinkage.
- To determine the implications of this shrinkage for comparative studies.
Main Methods:
- Corneal endothelial cell densities were measured in vivo using specular microscopy.
- The same samples were then prepared using critical point drying and examined with scanning electron microscopy.
- Area and linear shrinkage were calculated for each specimen.
Main Results:
- Corneal endothelial cells exhibited a wide range of area shrinkage (3.6%–49.1%) after critical point drying, with a mean of 29.7%.
- Linear shrinkage ranged from 1.8% to 28.7%, averaging 16.4%.
- Significant variability in shrinkage was observed between individual specimens.
Conclusions:
- Critical point drying induces substantial and inconsistent shrinkage in corneal endothelial cells.
- Direct comparisons of cell size or density between critical point dried specimens are unreliable without accounting for individual shrinkage.
- Future studies should incorporate methods to measure and correct for critical point drying-induced shrinkage.