A SEM-study of a keratoconus and an artificially aged human cornea.

The substructure of both the epithelial and endothelial surfaces of a keratoconus and an artificially aged cornea was compared with that of a healthy cornea by investigating them with a scanning electron microscope. From the depressions around the protruding centre of the epithelial surface of the keratoconus cornea, and from the whole epithelial surface of the artificially aged cornea, cells detached themselves, assuming a more or less rounded shape. The endothelial surface of both the keratoconus and the aged cornea showed areas of cells with an almost completely disintegrated cell membrane, exposing the cell contents. On the endothelial surface of the keratoconus cells were found with a missing cell-nucleus and a perforated cell membrane, due to a 'Kammerwasser Einbruch' effect.