[Examination of the cornea of intact donor eyes with confocal slit-scanning video microscopy].

The specular microscopic examination of the endothelium of intact donor eyes can be rendered difficult or even impossible due to light scattering of stromal edema. We have been able to visualize large areas of the corneal endothelium of a donor eye with advanced stromal edema--stored for over 32 h. in a moist chamber--with a confocal slit-scanning video microscope. Furthermore, this optical arrangement enables the examination of very thin tissue sections with high resolution and a remarkably enhanced contrast of the corneal micromorphology (epithelial cells, Bowman's membrane, nerve fibers, keratocytes, endothelial cells).