We provide eye tissue to 70 surgeons worldwide. The specular microscope is used to count and evaluate endothelial cells of the cornea. The endothelium is the innermost layer of the five layers of the cornea. There are 3 cell counts done on each cornea. The minimum standard is to have at least 2000 cells per square mm for transplant.
Specular microscopy is a valuable tool to enhance the success of corneal transplant surgery.
In a normal eye, light passes through the cornea and the lens and reaches the retina. The cornea and lens focus the incoming light onto the retina. In an eye with corneal blindness, the cornea is no longer clear, and light can not reach the retina. Unlike cataracts, which are opacities in the lens, corneal opacities can not be repaired with artificial replacement. Human donor corneal tissue is required for sight to be restored.