In vivo imaging of the corneal nerve plexus : From single image to large scale map

• Published in: Der Ophthalmologe : Zeitschrift der Deutschen Ophthalmologischen Gesellschaft 2017-07, Vol.114 (7), p.601-607
• Main Authors: Köhler, B, Allgeier, S, Bartschat, A, Guthoff, R F, Bohn, S, Reichert, K-M, Stachs, O, Winter, K, Mikut, R
• Format: Article
• Language: ger
• Subjects: Cornea - innervation; Early Diagnosis; Eye Movements - physiology; Humans; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted - instrumentation; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted - methods; Intravital Microscopy - instrumentation; Intravital Microscopy - methods; Microscopy, Confocal - instrumentation; Microscopy, Confocal - methods; Nerve Fibers - classification; Nerve Fibers - pathology; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases - diagnosis; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases - pathology; Software
• ISSN: 1433-0423
• DOI: 10.1007/s00347-017-0464-4

The sub-basal nerve plexus (SNP) of the cornea provides the possibility of in vivo and non-invasive examination of peripheral nerve structures by corneal confocal microscopy (CCM). Thus morphological alterations of the SNP can be directly detected and quantified. A single CCM image is insufficient for a well-founded diagnosis because of the inhomogeneous distribution of the nerve fibers; therefore, there is a demand for techniques for large area imaging of the SNP. This article provides an overview of published approaches to the problem. Current developmental work at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and the University of Rostock Eye Clinic is expected to lead to a simplified handling of the technology and a further improvement in the image quality.