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Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology

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01-02-2015 | Cornea

Aging and corneal layers: an in vivo corneal confocal microscopy study

Authors: Catia Gambato, Evelyn Longhin, Anton Giulio Catania, Daniela Lazzarini, Raffaele Parrozzani, Edoardo Midena

Published in: Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology | Issue 2/2015

Abstract

Purpose

To describe age-related changes of different corneal layers using a quantitative analysis of in vivo corneal confocal microscopy.

Design

Descriptive observational cross-sectional study.

Methods

A total of 108 healthy corneas of 108 subjects, distributed in four age categories, underwent in vivo corneal confocal microscopy. The effect of aging on the main features of corneal epithelium, sub-basal nerve plexus, stroma, and endothelium was investigated.

Results

Mean diameter of superficial epithelial cells increases with age (0.05 μm per year; p < 0.0001). Mean cell density of basal epithelium does not change with age (p = 0.37). The sub-basal nerve plexus fiber number, density, and the number of beadings do not statistically change with age (p = 0.14, p = 0.10 and p = 0.17, respectively). Keratocyte density significantly reduces with age in each stromal layer (p < 0.0001). Endothelial cell count decreases by 10.92 cells/mm² per year (p < 0.0001). Endothelial polymegathism index and pleomorphism index do not change with age (p = 0.79 and p = 0.39, respectively).

Conclusions

Corneal confocal microscopy allows a non-invasive examination of the living cornea, analyzing the microstructure of each corneal layer. Aging significantly influences the corneal confocal microscopy parameters of individual corneal layers, except sub-basal nerve plexus and basal epithelium.

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Title: Aging and corneal layers: an in vivo corneal confocal microscopy study
Authors: Catia Gambato
Evelyn Longhin
Anton Giulio Catania
Daniela Lazzarini
Raffaele Parrozzani
Edoardo Midena
Publication date: 01-02-2015
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology / Issue 2/2015
Print ISSN: 0721-832X
Electronic ISSN: 1435-702X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-014-2812-2

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Aging and corneal layers: an in vivo corneal confocal microscopy study

Abstract

Purpose

Design

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Design

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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