Tear Osmolarity
Juan Murube, MD, PhD
The Ocular Surface 2006;4:62-73©2006 Ethis Communications, Inc. Vol 4: No 2

Accessory Cell Populations in the Cornea
Shigeto Shimmura, MD, and Tetsuya Kawakita, MD
The Ocular Surface 2006;4:74-80©2006 Ethis Communications, Inc. Vol 4: No 2
According to the "classical" doctrine, resident cells of the cornea include the stratified epithelial cells, quiescent keratocytes, and a single layer of nondividing endothelial cells. However, it has become increasingly evident that other cell types are involved in the homeostasis of the cornea. The presence of various cell types from different lineages has raised concern among researchers as to what we are actually "seeing" in the cornea. Although definitive conclusions cannot yet be drawn, this review attempts to clarify the various accessory cell types reported in the human and murine cornea. The epithelial layer of the limbal area includes melanocytes, as well as antigen-presenting cells that are also present in the peripheral clear cornea. The most debated tissue currently is perhaps the corneal stroma, where resident keratocytes are not as large a population as was previously believed. Bone marrow-derived cells are found in the cornea, and these may not express the typical HLA molecules usually found on the surface of antigenpresenting cells. Nerve fibers extend though the superficial stroma to form a plexus beneath the epithelium. Although the cell body of the neuron itself is not in the cornea, neural glial cells, such as Schwann cells, are present in the stroma. The use of specific molecular markers and high-quality imaging techniques will be required to fully elucidate the various accessory cells of the cornea and their function.

In Vivo Confocal Microscopy of the Ocular Surface
Andrey Zhivov, MD, Oliver Stachs, PhD, Robert Kraak, MD, Joachim Stave, PhD, and Rudolf F. Guthoff, MD
The Ocular Surface 2006;4:81-93©2006 Ethis Communications, Inc. Vol 4: No 2
Over the past two decades, the applications of in vivo confocal microscopy to the investigation of ocular surface diseases in the living eye have been greatly extended. Confocal microscopy enables detailed investigation of tarsal and palpebral conjunctiva, central and peripheral cornea, tear film, and lids, and it allows evaluation of the ocular surface at the cellular level. High-quality imaging in both contact and noncontact modes has allowed new understanding of the functions of the ocular surface system, and in the coming years, such knowledge will become increasingly comprehensive and specific. Confocal microscopy may provide a link between wellestablished ex vivo histology and in vivo study of ocular pathology, not only in clinical science but also in clinical practice. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current knowledge about in vivo confocal microscopy of the ocular surface.

Ocular Effects of Cosmetic Products and Procedures
Minas T. Coroneo, MD, MS, MSc, FRACS, FRANZCO, Marni L. Rosenberg, BSc, MB, BS, Leanne M. Cheung, BSc(Med), MB, BS (Hons I), MPH
The Ocular Surface 2006;4:94-102©2006 Ethis Communications, Inc. Vol 4: No 2
Cosmetic products and procedures can produce adverse effects on the ocular surface, ranging from mild discomfort to vision-threatening conditions. Complications of skin and eye products can be related to allergy or toxicity, often attributable to perfumes. Complications of blepharoplasty may be associated with overcorrection, scarring, or uneven contour of the lid margins, conditions that can cause significant ocular surface disease until they are corrected. Ocular surface effects of botulinum toxin injection include dry eye syndromes and also epiphora. More serious complications occur (rarely) and are dose- and location-related. Adverse effects of micropigmentation procedures involve pathological processes or, simply, poor cosmetic results. In certain youth cultures, special-effect contact lenses and even decorative conjunctival implants have gained popularity, presenting a wide variety of dangers, often attributable to poor education about care and hygiene.

Pipeline
Gary D. Novack, PhD, Features Editor, Pipeline
The Ocular Surface 2006;4:103-106©2006 Ethis Communications, Inc. Vol 4: No 2

Personal Profile
Juan Murube, MD, PhD
The Ocular Surface 2006;4:109-111©2006 Ethis Communications, Inc. Vol 4: No 2