ELECTRON PROBE X-RAY MICROANALYZER STUDY OF COPPER WITHIN DESCEMET'S MEMBRANE OF WILSON'S DISEASE

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Abstract
An electron probe of 1 [mu] in diameter was focused on tissue sections from eyes of patients who had Wilson''s disease. Chemical elements were identified by analyzing either spectrographically or electronically the X-rays emitted by tissue components scanned with the electron beam. Copper was detected and measured within Descemet''s membrane and the peripheral cornea only. Lowest limit of detectability by this instrument was approximately 0.05% of copper per cubic micron of tissue or 5 x 10-16 g. It''s distribution was not uniform but primarily periodic and only within the membrane portion adjacent to the corneal endothelium. It was concluded that the presence of copper within Descemet''s membrane from eyes of patients with well-documented Wilson''s disease is characteristic, and furthermore, its distribution and concentration are in agreement with previous findings using different methods of analysis. These results demonstrate the applicability of the electron probe to this and other biological studies.

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