Specular PhotoMicroscopy -- TOPCON (JAPAN)

Purpose
The clear or transparent part of the outer aspect of eye is called CORNEA. The transparent nature of hte cornea is very important for seeing any object perfectly as it is. This clarity is maintained by the endothlial cells present on the inner aspect of the cornea. Normal endothlial cell count is 2400 cells/mm² or more.This number decreases with age and in some disease like Fuch's dystrophy,diabetes, following surgical inflammation, glaucoma etc. In humans these endothlial cells do not regenrate and hence knowing the endothlial cell count before any eye surgery is very important.

Principle of Specular
Photomicroscopic visualisation and qualitative and quantative documentation of corneal endothelial cells.
The patient is made to sit on a stool and rest his chin on a chin rest and focus on a spot of light. The technician then records the number of endothlial cells. No injection or anaesthetic eye drops are for the procedure.

Use:
Pre-operative evaluation in cases of cataract, kerotoplasty,glucoma and to predict the grade of visual outcome after surgery.