In vivo laser confocal microscopy findings of XXXX .

@entity1 @entity2687 @entity33295 @entity1036
PURPOSE: We looked for microstructural corneal characteristics of @entity1036 ( @entity1036 ) in an in vivo investigation using laser scanning confocal microscopy. METHODS: Five @entity1 (3 @entity1 and 2 @entity1 ; mean age, 51.8 years) with clinically diagnosed @entity1036 were enrolled in this study. All @entity1 were examined by slit-lamp biomicroscopy and in vivo laser confocal microscopy. Deposits in selected confocal images of all corneal layers were evaluated qualitatively for shape and degree of light reflection. RESULTS: The most characteristic finding was aggregates of highly reflective deposits with a starburst-like appearance that corresponded with epithelial punctate lesions identified by slit-lamp biomicroscopy; the aggregates were sporadically observed in all cases at the superficial and basal epithelial cell layers. Subepithelial haze was observed in all cases. Langerhans cells were also sporadically observed in all cases at the basal epithelial layer. @entity33295 were observed in 3 of 5 cases; all these @entity1 had a long history of @entity1036 (eg, more than 1 year). In addition, the 3 @entity1 had highly reflective, tiny, needle-shaped materials in the @entity2687 . CONCLUSIONS: In vivo laser confocal microscopy is capable of identifying characteristic corneal microstructural changes related to @entity1036 with a higher resolution than is available with slit-lamp biomicroscopy. It may also be a valuable tool for further research to elucidate both pathogenesis and the natural course of @entity1036 .
