Abstract
Two corneas from elderly patients (87 & 95 years) were studied by SEM and the results compared with in-vitro aged corneas and a keratoconus.
The detachment of epithelial cells as part of a cell renewal process leads to loss of epithelium and exposure of Bowman's membrane.
The degenerative process in the endothelium leads to porosity and loss of the endothelial cell membrane and finally to (partial) loss of the endothelial cell layer. The start of such a degenerative process is marked by the formation of liquid-filled blebs. The balance of degeneration versus regeneration is clearly biased in favour of the degenerative process, because the cells are not able to produce sufficient collagenous material to cover the denuded areas.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bourne WM, Kaufman HE. Endothelial damage associated with intraocular lenses. Am J Ophthalmol 1976; 81: 482.
Bourne WM, Lindstrom RL, Doughman DJ. Endothelial cell survival on transplanted human corneas preserved by organ culture with 1.35% chondroitin sulfate. Am J Ophthalmol 1985; 100: 789.
Bourne WM, Doughman DJ, Lindstrom RL, Mindrup E, Skelnik D. Increased endothelial cell loss after transplantation of corneas preserved by a modified organ-culture technique. Ophthalmology 1984; 91: 258.
Figueras MJ, Jongebloed WL, Worst JFG. Some considerations on experimental lens implant in the rabbit eye, a SEM-study. Doc Ophthalmol 1986; 61: 351.
Forstot SL, Blackwell El, Jaffe NS, Kaufman HE. The effect of intraocular lens implantation on the corneal endothelium. Trans Am Acad Ophthalmol Otolaryngol 1977; 83: 195.
Holden BA, Sweeny DF, Vannas A. Effects of long term extended contact lens wear on the human cornea. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 1985; 26: 1489.
Jongebloed WL, Humalda D, Van Andel P, Worst JFG. A SEM-study of a keratoconus and an artificially aged human cornea. Doc Ophthalmol 1986; 64: 129.
Jongebloed WL, Worst JFG. The keratoconus epithelium studied by SEM. Doc Ophthalmol (accepted for publication).
Nirankari VS, Bear JC. Persistent corneal oedema in aphakic eyes from daily-wear and extended-wear contact lenses. Am J Ophthalmol 1984; 98: 329.
MacRae S, Matsuda M, Yee R, Shellans S. The effect of contact lenses on the corneal endothelium. ARVO abstracts. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 1985; 26 (suppl): 275.
Polack FM. Pathologischen Erscheinungen als Folge der Einplanzung Intraokularer Linsen. Klin Mbl Augenheik 1979; 174: 535.
Polack FM. Scanning electron microscopy: Atlas of corneal pathology. New York: Masson, 1983.
Sugar J, Burnett Y, Forstot SL. Scanning electron microscopy of intraocular lenses and endothelial cell interaction. Am J Ophthalmol 1978; 86: 157.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Jongebloed, W.L., Dijk, F. & Worst, J.F.G. Descriptive anatomy of the ageing process of the human cornea as visualized by SEM. Doc Ophthalmol 67, 209–220 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00142714
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00142714