An Ex Vivo Morphometric Study of the Feline Corneal Endothelium (100 Eyes).

Feline corneal endothelium shows progressive age-related cell loss and enlargement, measurable via ex vivo morphometry.

This ex vivo morphometric study examined corneal endothelial morphology in 100 feline eyes from 50 cats using vital dye staining and light microscopy. The research established baseline values for feline corneal endothelial parameters: mean cell area (MCA) of 352 μm², mean cell density (MCD) of 2766 cells/mm², polymegathism of 14%, and pleomorphism of 85% hexagonality. Significant age-related changes were identified, with older cats (≥10 years) demonstrating larger cell areas, reduced cell density, and increased pleomorphism compared to younger animals. Strong negative correlation was found between age and MCD (r=-0.653), while positive correlation existed between age and MCA (r=0.593). This practical, cost-effective technique using trypan blue and alizarin red staining provides a standardized method for evaluating feline endothelial health in research settings where in vivo imaging is unavailable. The findings establish important baseline data for understanding age-related corneal endothelial changes in cats and demonstrate the technique's potential for translational and comparative ophthalmologic research.

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