In Vivo Confocal Microscopy of Corneal Grafts Shortly after Penetrating Keratoplasty

Abstract

White light scanning slit confocal microscopy permits imaging of a graft's microstructure (including epithelium and stromal layers), as well as calculation of endothelium cell density, as soon as 4 days after PK. The most frequently observed morphologic alterations of corneal grafts shortly after PK include epithelial and stromal edema, epithelial degeneration, stromal striae, and Descemet membrane folds. Stromal nerves can still be seen in the graft 4 days after PK.