Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42080798›Full record

Observational studyTranslational vision science & technology2026

Dome-Shaped Protrusions on Descemet's Membrane in Bullous Keratopathy: Identification and Histopathological Examination.

Toshiki Shimizu, Naruki Higashise, Ami Igarashi, Kyohei Fujiwara, Sayaka Nishihata, Sora Tanaka, Satoru Yamagami, Noriko Koizumi, Naoki Okumura, Takahiko Hayashi

Abstract readMulticenter StudyObservational Study
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Observational study in Translational vision science & technology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Toshiki ShimizuDepartment of Ophthalmology, Department of Visual Sciences, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Naruki HigashiseDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Life and Medical Sciences, Doshisha, University, Kyoto, Japan.
Ami IgarashiDepartment of Ophthalmology, Department of Visual Sciences, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Kyohei FujiwaraDepartment of Ophthalmology, Department of Visual Sciences, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Sayaka NishihataKikuna Yuda Eye Clinic, Yokohama, Japan.
Sora TanakaDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Life and Medical Sciences, Doshisha, University, Kyoto, Japan.
Satoru YamagamiDepartment of Ophthalmology, Department of Visual Sciences, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Noriko KoizumiDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Life and Medical Sciences, Doshisha, University, Kyoto, Japan.
Naoki OkumuraDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Life and Medical Sciences, Doshisha, University, Kyoto, Japan.
Takahiko HayashiDepartment of Ophthalmology, Department of Visual Sciences, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Purpose: To identify structural alterations of Descemet's membrane (DM) in bullous keratopathy (BK) and to explore their association with intracellular dark endothelial spots (IDESs) observed by specular microscopy. Methods: This multicenter, retrospective, observational study included 75 eyes that underwent endothelial keratoplasty for corneal endothelial dysfunction. Based on preoperative clinical diagnosis, eyes were classified as having Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD)-related or non-FECD BK. DM specimens were collected during endothelial keratoplasty and analyzed as flat-mounted preparations using phase-contrast microscopy. IDESs were evaluated preoperatively by masked assessment using specular microscopy. Results: Among the 75 eyes, 25 were clinically diagnosed with FECD. Of the remaining 50 eyes with BK, 15 showed no characteristic histological abnormalities, 11 exhibited guttae-like changes, and 24 demonstrated a distinct and previously unrecognized DM alteration, termed dome-shaped protrusions (DSPs). Specular microscopy images suitable for IDES evaluation were available in a subset of cases. IDESs were detected in 10 of 18 DSP-positive eyes and in 1 of 10 DSP-negative eyes, indicating a significant association between DSPs and IDESs (odds ratio 11.25; P < 0.05). Conclusions: DSPs represent a distinct structural alteration of the DM in non-FECD BK and are significantly associated with IDESs observed by specular microscopy. These findings provide insight into the heterogeneity of endothelial failure in BK and suggest a link between clinical imaging findings and underlying DM morphology. Translational Relevance: Dome-shaped protrusions provide a histopathological correlate for intracellular dark endothelial spots observed by specular microscopy and may support improved phenotyping of endothelial dysfunction in non-Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy bullous keratopathy.

Indexed as

Corneal DiseasesDescemet MembraneFuchs' Endothelial DystrophyAgedAged, 80 and overEndothelium, CornealFemaleHumansMaleMicroscopy, Phase-ContrastMiddle AgedRetrospective Studies

Identifiers

PMID42080798
PMCPMC13164570

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