The focus in relation to the consequences of nerve damage in diabetes has been the loss of sensation in the feet predisposing to the development of foot ulceration and lower extremity amputation (1). However, the cornea is 300– 600 times more sensitive than skin (2). In addition to serving a protective function, corneal nerves regulate corneal epithelial integrity, proliferation, and wound heal...

PURPOSE To update the 2008 International Classification of Corneal Dystrophies (IC3D) incorporating new clinical, histopathologic, and genetic information. METHODS The IC3D reviewed worldwide peer-reviewed articles for new information on corneal dystrophies published between 2008 and 2014. Using this information, corneal dystrophy templates and anatomic classification were updated. New clinic...

Purpose Severing corneal nerves during corneal transplantation does not affect first corneal transplants, but abolishes immune privilege of subsequent corneal allografts. This abrogation of immune privilege is attributable to the disabling of T regulatory cells (T regs) induced by corneal transplantation. The goal of this study was to determine if severing corneal nerves induces the development...

PURPOSE To compare and contrast the T regulatory cells (Tregs) induced by anterior chamber (AC) injection of antigen with those induced by orthotopic corneal allografts. METHODS Anterior chamber-associated immune deviation (ACAID) Tregs were induced by injecting C57BL/6 spleen cells into the AC of BALB/c mice. Delayed-type hypersensitivity responses to C57BL/6 alloantigens were evaluated by a...

PURPOSE We attempted to develop a device for measuring electrical corneal resistance (CR) using corneal contact lens electrodes to quantitatively evaluate corneal injury in vivo. In the present study, full-thickness detachment of the corneal epithelium was induced by n-heptanol, and the feasibility of the quantitative evaluation of this injury by corneal contact lens electrodes was evaluated in...

PURPOSE Keratoconus is characterized by corneal ectasia and irregular astigmatism, which can lead to diminished vision and corneal scarring. Approximately 10-20% of patients with keratoconus eventually require a corneal transplant. Corneal cross-linking (CXL) is a relatively new treatment that may help prevent the need for corneal transplantation. Here, we investigated whether the introduction ...

PURPOSE To investigate the distribution of posterior corneal astigmatism in eyes with with-the-rule (WTR) and against-the-rule (ATR) anterior corneal astigmatism. METHODS We retrospectively examined six hundred eight eyes of 608 healthy subjects (275 men and 333 women; mean age ± standard deviation, 55.3 ± 20.2 years). The magnitude and axis orientation of anterior and posterior corneal astig...

The scarcity of corneal tissue to treat deep corneal defects and corneal perforations remains a challenge. Currently, small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE)-derived lenticules appear to be a promising alternative for the treatment of these conditions. However, the thickness and toughness of a single piece of lenticule are limited. To overcome these limitations, we constructed a corneal str...

BACKGROUND Corneal perforation is an uncommon complication associated with keratoconus. The first cases of infectious keratitis and corneal perforation associated with corneal hydrops and contact lens wear are reported in two keratoconus patients. METHODS A retrospective chart review and histopathological examination were carried out. RESULTS Both patients progressed to corneal perforation ...

Corneal confocal microscopy is a novel clinical technique for the study of corneal cellular structure. It provides images which are comparable to in-vitro histochemical techniques delineating corneal epithelium, Bowman's layer, stroma, Descemet's membrane and the corneal endothelium. Because, corneal confocal microscopy is a non invasive technique for in vivo imaging of the living cornea it has...