Open AccessLimbal Lacuna: A Novel Limbal Structure Detected by In Vivo Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy
Author(s) -
Siamak ZareiGhanavati,
Arturo RamirezMiranda,
Sophie X. Deng
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
ophthalmic surgery, lasers and imaging retina
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2325-8179
pISSN - 2325-8160
DOI - 10.3928/15428877-20111201-07
Subject(s) - confocal laser scanning microscopy , confocal microscopy , stem cell , progenitor cell , confocal , stroma , in vivo , biology , pathology , microbiology and biotechnology , medicine , biophysics , immunohistochemistry , optics , physics
Limbal lacuna is a novel limbal structure detected by in vivo laser scanning confocal microscopy in normal subjects and the unaffected limbus in sectoral limbal stem cell deficiency. This unique structure harbors normal limbal epithelial cells deep inside the limbal stroma and the palisades of the Vogt are absent in these subjects. This well-protected location could better shield limbal stem/progenitor cells from damage and might serve as an alternative niche for limbal stem/progenitor cells.