On-line Mapping kornealer Strukturen mittels In-vivo-Laser-Scanning-Mikroskopie

Zusammenfassung

Hintergrund: Entwicklung und Beurteilung einer neuen Methode zum On-line Mapping kornealer Strukturen mittels der konfokalen In-vivo-Laser-Scanning-Mikroskopie. Methode: Die Hornhaut von Probanden (4 Normalprobanden und 2 Patienten nach LASIK) wurde mit einem softwareseitig modifizierten konfokalen Laser-Scanning-Mikroskop (Heidelberg Retina Tomograph II in Kombination mit dem Rostock Cornea Modul) untersucht, wobei die erhaltenen optischen Schnitte on-line bis zu einer maximalen Größe von 3,2 × 3,2 mm (3072 × 3072 Pixel) zweidimensional rekonstruiert wurden. Ergebnisse: Die entwickelte Methode ermöglicht eine On-line-Rekonstruktion und Darstellung von verschiedenen Hornhautstrukturen (Epithel, subepithelialer Nervenplexus, Stroma, Endothel) bei Normalprobanden und postoperativen Wundheilungsprozessen bzw. Alterationen des Gewebes nach LASIK. Qualität und Größe der rekonstruierten Areale sind stark compliance- und erfahrungsabhängig. Schlussfolgerungen: Das On-line Mapping kornealer Strukturen mittels konfokaler In-vivo-Laser-Scanning-Mikroskopie erlaubt eine großflächige zweidimensionale Darstellung und Analyse der normalen Anatomie und pathologischen Befunde der Hornhaut. Die entwickelte Methode ist der etablierten Off-line-Rekonstruktion bezüglich Bildqualität und Zeitaufwand deutlich überlegen und bietet ein erhebliches experimentelles und klinisches Potenzial.

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to design and evaluate online mapping of human corneal structures by in vivo laser scanning confocal microscopy. Method: 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 × 3.2 mm (3072 × 3072 pixel) was performed. Results: 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. Conclusions: 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.

Schlüsselwörter

Konfokale Mikroskopie - Mapping - Hornhaut

Key words

confocal microscopy - mapping - Cornea

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