354 Image Analysis and Modeling in Ophthalmology
Patients with a chemical injury to the eye have a signicantly reduced number of con-
junctival goblet cells (Le et al. 2010). This may then affect the tear lm, leading to dry eye
(Nelson and Wright 1984; Tiffany 2003).
Long-term effects of chemical burns can be monitored by either IVCM or impression
cytology. Generally, the most commonly used technique to monitor the integrity of goblet
cells in the conjunctiva is impression cytology. In recent years, however, some clinicians
have shifted to IVCM methodology, as no cell sample collection is necessary. Using IVCM,
goblet cells can be easily recognized. They appear as large hyperreective ovals scattered
among the epithelial cells (Kobayashi et ...