Comparative quantitative assessment of the human corneal sub-basal nerve plexus by in vivo confocal microscopy and histological staining

Abstract

Purpose This study was designed to compare and contrast quantitative data of the human corneal sub-basal nerve plexus (SBP) evaluated by two different methods: in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM), and immunohistochemical staining of ex vivo donor corneas. Methods Seven parameters of the SBP in large-scale IVCM mosaicking images from healthy subjects were compared with the identical parameters in ex vivo donor corneas stained by β-III-tubulin immunohistochemistry. Corneal nerve fiber length (CNFL), corneal nerve fiber density (CNFD), corneal nerve branch density (CNBD), average weighted corneal nerve fiber tortuosity (CNFTo), corneal nerve connection points (CNCP), average corneal nerve single-fiber length (CNSFL), and average weighted corneal nerve fiber thickness (CNFTh) were calculated using a dedicated, published algorithm and compared.

Exploring the Link Between Dry Eye and Migraine: From Eye to Brain

“… 62 IVCM, however, has limitations in that it lacks built-in software to analyze nerve parameters, there are no normative databases with which to compare values across populations, it provides a small field of view, and it is difficult to scan the exact same location over time. 63 …”

Diagnosing Diabetic Neuropathy: Something Old, Something New

“…IWL is defined as the length of the nerves at the inferior whorl of the SNP, an anatomically distinct area where the nerves are arranged in a whorl like pattern. Other reported parameters include nerve fiber beading (number/100 µm) [ 84 ], corneal nerve connection points and average weighted corneal nerve fiber thickness which essentially measures nerve fiber width [ 85 ]. Nerve fiber area may be optimal for detecting change in clinical trials of new therapeutics [ 86 ].…”

Morphometrische Charakterisierung des subbasalen Nervenplexus

“…Doch sind dem Verfahren gerade hinsichtlich der Bildauflösung Grenzen gesetzt. In einer aktuellen Studie [15] wurde die Darstellbarkeit des humanen SNP in Invivo-CCM-Aufnahmen und lichtmikroskopischen Aufnahmen histologischer Präparate miteinander verglichen. Letztere wurden mit 20-facher Vergrößerung bei einer Pixelgröße von 0,24 μm 2 digitalisiert und zur besseren Vergleichbarkeit auf die Pixelgrö-ße von CCM-Aufnahmen (1,08 μm 2 ) skaliert.…”