[Ultrastructural changes in keratoconus].

Abstract

In case of keratoconus the epithelial cells are also participating in the pathological processes. Their activity of producing basal membrane is increased. In the stroma four cell types are found; two of them are normal elements. The origin of the two pathological forms is unknown. They may represent as well vagrant cells. Or they originate perhaps from the endothelial cells, being more or less modified. The original endothelial cells are mostly destroyed. In all sorts of the corneal cells one sees abundantly enlarged mitochondria.