Purpose
There is currently no efficient method for the study of epithelium and stroma of human graft corneas. The aim of our study is to evaluate the performance of a full-field optical coherence tomograhy system in the evaluation of human graft corneas.
Methods
Our study was carried out using a full-field OCT system from LLTech ®, developed for non-invasive imaging of tissue structures in depth. Images were acquired on human donor corneas (in normal and oedematous conditions) and surgical specimens of pathological corneas (Fuchs dystrophy, keratoconus, stromal keratitis)
Results
The Full-field OCT device from LLTech® enables three dimensional images to be obtained with ultrahigh resolution (1 micron in all directions) comparable to traditional histological sections. This allows a precise visualisation of the cells and the different structures (epithelium, Bowman’s membrane, stroma, Descemet’s membrane and endothelium) in normal corneas (figure 1), but also in pathological corneas (even in the presence of an oedema), with specific lesions in each condition.
Conclusions
Optical microscopy, with a detailed view of the corneal endothelium and a cell density determination, remains the « gold standard » in the study of human cornea grafts. However, full-field OCT, thanks to a more complete anatomical stydy of the cornea, could be helpful in the evaluation and the selection of human cornea grafts whose quality plays a major role in the outlook of the corneal transplant
Keywords: 483 cornea: storage •
552 imaging methods (CT, FA, ICG, MRI, OCT, RTA, SLO, ultrasound)