Age-related Changes of Corneal Endothelium in Normal Eyes with a Non-Contact Specular Microscope

Specular microscopy is a very important diagnostic tool to evaluate corneal endothelial function through the evaluation of the morphology changes of this cell layer. Current technology allows the non-invasive, accurate observation and automatic morphological evaluation of this important corneal layer. It is well known that the endothelium changes with age1-3, contact lens wear4 and certain systemic pathologies as diabetes mellitus5. However, intra-ocular ophthalmic surgery is perhaps the higher risk factor for the loss of endothelial cells6-8, and is in this aspect that these instruments become more important in clinical practice. In addition to the endothelial morphologic characterization, specular microscopes also measure corneal corneal thickness (CCT)9-15. The lack of contact with the cornea in noncontact specular microscopes is an important advantage for this kind of measurement compared to other instruments that require contact with the cornea as is the case