Ultrastructural Changes of Corneal Epithelium and Basement Membrane in Neurotrophic Corneal Ulcer.
- Author:
Young Taek KIM
1
;
June Gone KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Ophthalmology, college of Medicine, Hanyang University, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Adhesion complex;
Basement membrane;
Neurotrophic keratitis
- MeSH:
Basement Membrane*;
Corneal Ulcer*;
Epithelial Cells;
Epithelium, Corneal*;
Extracellular Space;
Hemidesmosomes;
Humans;
Keratitis;
Pathology;
Sensation;
Trigeminal Nerve
- From:Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society
2002;43(10):1852-1857
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: Neurotrophic keratitis is corneal epithelial defects and stromal thinning associated with loss of sensory function in the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve. The purpose of this study was to determine the ultrastructural changes of corneal epithelium and basement membrane in neurotrophic keratitis. METHODS: The corneal tissues were obtained from the elevated margin of corneal ulcer in 5 patients with neurotrophic keratitis. Electron microscopic studies were performed. RESULTS: Degenerated epithelial cells, widened intercellular spaces and infiltrated inflammatory cells were observed. In addition, discontinuous basement membrane and loss of adhesion complex including hemidesmosome, anchoring fibril and anchoring plaque were found. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that ultrastructural pathology of persistent epithelial defect and inadequate healing of neurotrophic keratitis are loss of adheson complex, discontinuous basement membrane, degenerated epithelial cells, and infiltrating inflammatory cells.
