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Specular Microscopy / Photography
OVERVIEW
This test is used to monitor the number, density, and quality of endothelial cells that line the back of the cornea. A microscope magnifies the cells thousands of times and the image is captured with a camera or video camera. The number of cells within one square millimeter are counted and recorded. The endothelium of a young, ten-year-old, healthy cornea has approximately 3,500 cells in each square millimeter. Normal aging causes the cells to gradually decrease over time. By age 60, most people have approximately 2,500 cells per square millimeter.
St. Luke's Cataract & Laser
Institute provides this on-line information for educational and
communication purposes only and it should not be construed as
personal medical advice. Information published on this St.
Luke's website is not intended to replace, supplant, or augment a
consultation with an eye care professional regarding the
viewer/user's own medical care. St. Luke's disclaims any and
all liability for injury or other damages that could result from use
of the information obtained from this site.