The Human Corneal Endothelium in Keratoconus

In Vivo Confocal Microscopy Findings in Keratoconus

“…The authors have proposed that because the hexagonality percentage of the endothelial cells was decreased in keratoconus, the endothelium in these patients was geometrically and thermodynamically unstable and susceptible to damage. Another finding that Laing et al 6 reported was prominent enlargement of endothelial cells in a patient with a history of acute hydrops. However, endothelial cell alterations have been thought to be secondary to contact lens wear and mechanical stress in at least two of these studies.…”

“…Matsuda et al 5 and Laing et al 6 reported elongation of endothelial cells toward the cone apex in some eyes with keratoconus. The authors proposed this to be the result of an unmeasurable endothelial loss at the cone apex or a stretching mechanism.…”

Quantitative analysis of corneal microstructure in keratoconus utilising in vivo confocal microscopy

“…Additionally, there was an apparent decrease in the frequency of hexagonal cell shapes within the endothelium, all of which has been previously reported elsewhere with keratoconics. 20,[67][68][69] Similar observations have been documented within 'normal' corneal endothelium due to the presence of contact lens wear. 70 We found no difference in endothelial density between the keratoconic group and the control group (age was included as a covariate), which differs from Hollingsworth et al 20 who reported a higher endothelial density within the keratoconic group.…”

Laminins in normal, keratoconus, bullous keratopathy and scarred human corneas

“…This is consistent with the fact that keratoconus preferably aVects younger people. Ultrastructural changes have been demonstrated at all levels of the keratoconic cornea, including endothelial cell pleomorphism, cell degeneration and ruptures in the DM (Hollingsworth et al 2005;Laing et al 1979;Stone et al 1976;Sturbaum and PeiVer 1993). The relationship between the novel ectopic LM 3, 3 and 2 chains and the abnormal endothelial cells as well as their functional signiWcance remain to be determined and are hampered by the lack of an adequate keratoconus animal model.…”