[Scanning electron microscopic observation of the corneal endothelium in the Royal College of Surgeons rat].

The pathologic change in the cell surface of the corneal endothelium of the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rat is reported. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of 1-month-old RCS rat revealed several mushroom-like microvilli on the endothelial surface. In the 3-month-old RCS rat, the corneal endothelium had numerous filamentous microvilli, and some of the corneal endothelial cells had cytoplasmic edema. In the 6-month-old RCS rat, SEM showed numerous slender microvilli on the surface of corneal endothelium. These endothelial changes could be caused by the toxic substances generated from the degenerating retina.