Ultrastructural Changes of Corneal Epithelium and Basement Membrane in Neurotrophic Corneal Ulcer.

Kim, Young Taek; Kim, June Gone

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society 2002;43(10):1852-1857.
Published online October 1, 2002.

Ultrastructural Changes of Corneal Epithelium and Basement Membrane in Neurotrophic Corneal Ulcer.

Young Taek Kim, June Gone Kim

Department of Ophthalmology, college of Medicine, Hanyang University, Korea.

신경영양 각막염에서 각막상피 및 바닥막의 전자현미경적 변화

김영택 ( Young Taek Kim ) , 김중곤 ( June Gone Kim )

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.

Key Words: Adhesion complex;Basement membrane;Neurotrophic keratitis