Imaging limbal stem cell niches using optical coherence tomography

Session Details

Session Title: Imaging II

Session Date/Time: Tuesday 13/09/2016 | 14:00-16:00

Paper Time: 15:30

Venue: Hall C1

First Author: : M.Haagdorens BELGIUM

Co Author(s): :    J. Behaegel   S. Michiels   J. Rozema   V. Van Gerwen   N. Zakaria   M. Tassignon     

Abstract Details

Purpose:

The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of Fourrier Domain-Optical Coherence Tomography (FD-OCT) in imaging the limbal structures and limbal epithelial stem cell niches and to correlate these images with histological findings.

Setting:

Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences: Dept of Ophthalmology, visual optics and visual rehabilitation & Dept of Ophthalmology, Antwerp University Antwerp University Hospital, Belgium.

Methods:

The superior and inferior limbal region of both eyes of 50 healthy volunteers were evaluated on slit lamp examination and by FD-OCT. OCT images were analysed for width of the Focal Stromal Projections (ΔFSP) and Limbal Crypts (ΔLC). Crypt density (CD) was calculated as 1000/[ΔFSP(μm)+ ΔLC(μm)]. In vitro immunofluorescent staining of a cadaveric donor limbus was analysed to correlate and confirm the presence of stem cells (ΔNp63 positivity) in the visualized structures. Descriptive analysis of obtained data was performed.

Results:

FD-OCT can successfully visualize limbal crypts and focal stromal projections in the limbal region. Fluorescent ΔNp63 labelling confirmed the presence of stem cells in these structures. The mean ΔFSP was of the order of 58μm, while the mean ΔLC was of the order of 56μm, leading to a line density (LD) of about 9.3 lines/mm. No significant differences in ΔFSP, ΔLC or CD were seen between left and right eyes, nor between the inferior and superior directions (all: Wilcoxon signed rank test, p> 0.40). There was no significant influence of subject gender, age, iris colour and skin pigmentation.

Conclusions:

FD-OCT is a safe and effective imaging modality of the limbus and can be used to visualize limbal crypts and focal stromal projections. This offers the potential to assist in diagnosing limbal stem cell pathologies, to enhance targeted limbal biopsies for transplantation and to assist in follow-up of limbal grafts.

Financial Disclosure:

NONE