In vivo confocal microscopic findings in Lisch corneal dystrophy.

PURPOSE: To describe the in vivo confocal microscopic and clinicopathologic correlations in Lisch corneal dystrophy. METHODS: This is a retrospective case series of 2 patients with Lisch corneal dystrophy. The diagnosis was made based on clinical findings in both cases and was confirmed histopathologically following epithelial debridement in case 1. In vivo laser scanning confocal microscopy using the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph III with the Rostock Cornea Module was carried out in both cases. RESULTS: Clinical examination of the corneas revealed areas of epithelial opacification that were sharply demarcated in juxtaposition with normal corneal epithelium. The gray feathery appearance of the epithelial lesions in both cases was characteristic of Lisch corneal dystrophy. The central visual axis was involved in case 1, and corneal topography showed irregular astigmatism. Histological analysis of the epithelial cells in this case showed intracytoplasmic vacuoles, confirming the diagnosis of Lisch corneal dystrophy. In vivo confocal microscopy in both cases demonstrated highly hyperreflective epithelial cytoplasm with hypo-reflective nuclei. There was involvement of all epithelial layers extending to the limbus and findings on imaging were confined to the clinically observed areas of corneal opacity. The lesion in case 1 recurred after epitheliectomy of the central cornea without removal of affected limbal cells. CONCLUSIONS: The unique features on in vivo confocal microscopy correlated with the clinical and histopathologic features of Lisch corneal dystrophy may be used to distinguish this disorder from other corneal epithelial conditions. The affected epithelial cells appear to originate from abnormal limbal stem cells.

Characterization of limbal stem cell deficiency by in vivo laser scanning confocal microscopy: a microstructural approach.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cellular changes in the corneal epithelium and surrounding structures in limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) by using in vivo laser scanning confocal microscopy. METHODS: This was a prospective comparative study that included 27 eyes of 20 patients with LSCD and 12 eyes of 10 healthy subjects. All subjects underwent slitlamp examination, and LSCD was classified into 3 groups on the basis of clinical presentation. Confocal imaging of the central cornea and 4 locations of limbus was performed. Morphologic characteristics of the corneal epithelium were studied. The basal epithelial cell density and subbasal nerve density in the central cornea were calculated, and a potential correlation between the decrease in basal epithelial cell density and subbasal nerve density in LSCD was investigated. RESULTS: The wing and basal epithelial cells became progressively metaplastic, and the basal epithelial cell density and subbasal nerve density in the early and intermittent stages decreased significantly compared with controls (all P < .01). Normal basal epithelial cell morphology was completely lost and subbasal nerves were absent in the late stage of LSCD. The decrease in basal cell density correlated with the decrease in subbasal nerve density in patients with LSCD (P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: There are significant microstructural changes associated with early LSCD. These cellular changes could help to understand the disease process and classify and monitor limbal stem cell dysfunction.