Confocal microscopy of cornea

Abstract

Microscopic evaluation of the ocular structures has always been a challenge for ophthalmic clinicians and researchers. Ocular diagnostic imaging techniques have evolved rapidly over the past decades. The clinical diagnostic capability of detecting corneal diseases has grown exponentially in accord with technological innovation. Confocal microscopy, one such most advanced imaging technology, offers several advantages over conventional wide-field optical microscopy. It has the ability to control the depth of field and eliminate or reduce the background information away from the focal plane and the capability to collect serial optical sections from thick specimens. The basic key to the confocal approach is the use of spatial filtering techniques to eliminate out-of-focus light or glare. There has been a tremendous interest in confocal microscopy in recent years, due in part to the relative ease with which extremely high-quality images can be obtained. Confocal microscopy has enhanced the ability to image the cornea in vivo. The application of this technology permits the acquisition of images of high spatial resolution and contrast as compared to conventional microscopy.