In vivo Confocal Microscopic Evaluation of Corneal Changes in Acute Endothelial Rejection

PURPOSE: To evaluate the microstructural corneal changes during acute endothelial graft rejection and following treatment using in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM). METHODS: Patients with a clinical diagnosis of severe acute endothelial graft rejection following penetrating keratoplasty were included in this study. IVCM was performed on the 1(st) day the patient presented with rejection signs and at the time of clinical resolution. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients were included in this study. Inflammatory cells appeared as dendritic cells (DCs) and less frequently, as non-DCs in basal epithelial and subbasal areas. Activated keratocytes (AKs) (type 1: large cells with visible cytoplasmic processes; type 2: elongated and spindle-shaped keratocytes) were visible in acute phase. Following resolution, type 1 AKs considerably reduced, but type 2 cells were more often persisted. Multiple types of keratic precipitates (KPs) were also visible in acute phase which resolved following resolution of rejection. CONCLUSIONS: Acute graft rejection was associated with an increase in the number of DCs, activation of keratocytes, and aggregation of various types of KPs. Inflammatory process subsided in almost all cases, but the IVCM changes did not return to normal early after clinical resolution of rejection.