Confocal reflectance microscopy has demonstrated the ability to produce in vivo images of corneal tissue with sufficient cellular resolution to diagnose a broad range of corneal conditions. To investigate the spectral behavior of corneal reflectance imaging, a modified laser ophthalmoscope was used. Imaging was performed in vivo on a human cornea as well as ex vivo on porcine and lamb corneae. Various corneal layers were imaged at the wavelengths 488 nm, 518 nm, and 815 nm and compared regarding image quality and differences in the depicted structures. Besides the wavelength- and depth-dependent scattering background, which impairs the image quality, a varying spectral reflectance of certain structures could be observed. Based on the obtained results, this paper emphasizes the importance of choosing the appropriate light source for corneal imaging. For the examination of the epithelial layers and the endothelium, shorter wavelengths should be preferred. In the remaining layers, longer wavelength light has the advantage of less scattering loss and a potentially higher subject compliance.

中文翻译：

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角膜的多波长共聚焦激光扫描显微镜

共聚焦反射显微镜已证明具有产生足够的细胞分辨率以诊断广泛的角膜病症的角膜组织体内图像的能力。为了研究角膜反射成像的光谱行为，使用了改进的激光检眼镜。成像是在人角膜上以及体内进行的在猪和羊角膜上。在488 nm，518 nm和815 nm的波长下对各种角膜层成像，并比较图像质量和所示结构的差异。除了与波长和深度有关的散射背景会损害图像质量外，还可观察到某些结构的光谱反射率变化。基于获得的结果，本文强调选择合适的光源进行角膜成像的重要性。为了检查上皮层和内皮，应首选较短的波长。在其余的层中，波长较长的光具有散射损失较小和潜在的较高对象顺应性的优点。