ESCRS - PO923 - Diagnosing Distinctive Features Of Corneal Inflammation With In Vivo Confocal Microscopy

Diagnosing Distinctive Features Of Corneal Inflammation With In Vivo Confocal Microscopy

Published 2025 - 43rd Congress of the ESCRS

Reference: PO923 | Type: Poster | DOI: 10.82333/hhr6-jf94

Authors: Anna Maria Agas-Lange* 1 , Wojciech Szaraniec 1 , Adrian Smedowski 2

1Department of Ophthalmology,Kornel Gibiński University Clinical Center, Medical University of Silesia,Katowice,Poland, 2Department of Ophthalmology,Kornel Gibiński University Clinical Center, Medical University of Silesia,Katowice,Poland;Department of Ophthalmology,Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia,Katowice,Poland;GlaucoTech Co,Katowice,Poland

Purpose

To investigate the characteristics of various types of corneal inflammation utilizing confocal microscopy.

Setting

This study was conducted at the Kornel Gibiński University Clinical Center, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland. 

Methods

Patients were examined by slit lamp biomicroscopy followed by evaluation using in vivo confocal microscopy (HRT III, RCM, Heidelberg, Germany).

Results

We examined 67 patients, detecting: 20 fungal infections, 8 bacterial infections, 12 amoebic infections, and 36 viral infections. Co-infections were also noted. Fungi are identifiable by the presence of filamentous structures or yeasts, while Acanthamoeba is distinguishable through round cysts and trophozoites. A pathognomonic feature of viral keratitis is the presence of an epithelial island. Bacterial keratitis is characterized by monomorphic round inflammatory cells that accompany the corneal ulcer.

Conclusions

In vivo confocal microscopy serves as a valuable adjunct to slit-lamp examination in evaluating patients with keratitis. This methodology permits the identification of pathogenic agents responsible for diseases and their impact on corneal tissue. The acquired confocal images represent invaluable components for ongoing monitoring of disease progression.