Corneal Specular Microscopy Using a Contact Lens

Abstract

Corneal specular microscopy has been progressing rapidly [1]. Most of the newer techniques utilize a water immersion microscope objective with direct contact with the cornea [2]. But the cornea is easily scratched, and the technique is rather difficult to use. We have reported non-contact specular microscopy using a high resolution objective elsewhere [3]. The latter technique has some merits; e.g. it diminishes light reflections from the corneal surface, and produces a sharper image than can be obtained compared to the non-contact type. However, in spite of these advantages it must be emphasized that non-contact viewing is technically simpler from the examiner’s point of view.