[Confocal and transmission electron microscopic features of endothelial vacuolation in donated corneas]

To report the confocal microscopic features of endothelial vacuolation in donated corneas and to confirm the observed changes by transmission electron microscopy. Confocal and transmission electron microscopy were performed on donated corneas with endothelial vacuole formation on slitlamp biomicroscopy. The ultrastructural findings were also compared with those of a normal-looking endothelium from a keratoconic cornea. Confocal microscopy revealed large numbers of dark round to oval-shaped structures within the endothelium, consistent with vacuolation which was confirmed by light and electron microscopy by the presence of variable-sized cyst-like structures within the endothelial cytoplasm mainly near the posterior cytoplasmic membrane in semithin preparations and observation of electron-lucent and relatively largesized intracytoplasmic vacuoles on transmission electron microscopy. These features were not observed in the normal-looking endothelium of a keratoconic cornea. In this report, confocal microscopic features of endothelial cell vacuolation are presented in donated corneas and confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. The confocal microscopic images can serve as a useful reference image for endothelial vacuolation

[Corneal endothelial cell evaluation in donors with aluminum phosphide intoxication]

To evaluate corneal endothelial cells of donors who died from aluminum phosphide intoxication. Endothelial cell count and quality of eight corneas from four donors with aluminum phosphide intoxication were evaluated by slit lamp biomicroscopy and specular microscopy at the Eye Bank of I.R. Iran. Confocal scan examination was carried out only in one of the recipients. Donor age ranged from 21 to 60 years. All corneas were clear and the estimated endothelial cell density was very good to excellent. The endothelial cell density ranged from 2600 to 3300 cell/mm2 with a mean of 2920 cell/mm2. The pleomorphism ranged from 33% to 50% with mean of 40% and the polymegathism ranged from 31% to 39% with mean of 35%. In one recipient, 5 months after penetrating keratoplasty, the endothelial cell density was 2848 cells/mm2 on confocal scan with 40.8% polymegathism and 44.9% pleomorphism. Oral intoxication with aluminum phosphide seems not to affect corneal endothelial cell count and viability. Further experimental study is suggested