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What is it?
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Specular microscopy is a technique to obtain high magnification photographic
images of the endothelial cells of the cornea.(stoma ,central thickest layer of the
cornea app 0.50mm.It is a non-invasive technique that allows the doctor to
visualize and analyze the corneal endothelium using computer assisted
morphometry.It can analyze the size,shape and population of the endothelial
cells.
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What is it done for ?
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This test is useful in determining why the cornea is not functioning properly.Test results yield information on the total number of endothelial cells count.This test also analyze the size,shapeand population of the endothelial cells.
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How is it done?
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The instrument projects light on to the cornea and capture the image that is reflected from the optical interface between the corneal endothelium and the aqueous humour.The reflected image is analyzed by the instrument and displayed as a specular photo micrographs.
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| What are the benefits? |
1.Analyze corneal endothelium.
2-Analyze deep corneal opacities.
(a)Exogenous material deposited on to the cornea.(Caterpillar hairs appearance,multifaceted appearance of glass foreign bodies.)
(b) Endogenous pathological corneal changes.(Ghost vessels,larger striate corneal nerves , fasciculli of fine parallel lines in keratoconus,running lines in resolved keratitis,cellophone like appearance suggesting thickness of descements membrane.)
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| What are the limitations? |
The limitations include.
1-Proper understanding of the optical principles of microscope in order to interpret the endothelial photomicrographs.
2-Tear debris.corneal keratitis and fuchs dystrophy.
3-Limited with cataract and aphakic patients as the light striking a surface can be reflected ,transmitted or absorbed.
4-High cost of the instrument. |
| How much time is taken for the test? |
| 5 minutes per eye. |
| When is to be repeated? |
| As per doctors advise. |
| What are other alternative tests? |
| Endothelial cell counts test ,specular photo microscopy. |
| How much is the cost? |
| The cost may vary from one hospital to the other. |
