In vivo confocal microscopy of normal conjunctiva and conjunctivitis.

Purpose: To analyze the appearance of normal conjunctiva and conjunctival inflammation by in vivo confocal microscopy.

Methods: Conjunctiva of 15 normal patients and 21 patients with conjunctivitis including bacterial, papillary, follicular, granulomatous, and cicatrizing disease were analyzed by the Heidelberg retina tomograph (HRTII)/Rostock cornea modul (RCM).

Results: Scans of normal bulbar and tarsal conjunctiva corresponded well to the established anatomy except for a prominent, thickened epithelial basement membrane observed by in vivo microscopy.

In vivo confocal microscopy of filtering blebs after trabeculectomy.

Objectives: To analyze filtering blebs after trabeculectomy by means of in vivo confocal microscopy and to correlate the images with clinical bleb appearance and function.

Method: In vivo confocal microscopy using the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph/Rostock Cornea Module (Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany) was performed in 53 filtering blebs in 45 patients 6 days to 30 years postoperatively.

Results: In vivo confocal microscopic findings significantly correlated with good bleb function included the number of epithelial microcysts (P = .

In vivo confocal microscopy of pigmented conjunctival tumors.

Purpose: To analyze the appearance of conjunctival pigmented tumors as seen by in vivo confocal microscopy.

Methods: Twenty-eight pigmented conjunctival tumors including 6 nevi, 13 acquired melanoses, 7 conjunctival melanomas, and 2 extrascleral growths of uveal melanomas were examined by in vivo confocal microscopy using the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph (HRTII)/Rostock Cornea Modul (RCM). Confocal images were analyzed using predefined criteria by an observer masked to final histological diagnosis and a preliminary diagnosis was established.