Purpose: To evaluate the conjunctival cells by impression cytology with cellulose acetate membrane.
Methods: The expression of the TGF-beta 1 in conjunctival epithelium of 24 patients with dry eye were studied by impression cytology combined with immunohistochemical staining and observed by microscope.
Result: The cellulose acetate membrane is very transparent under the microscope. Cell's membrane by TGF-beta 1 staining is clear, cytoplasm brown and nuclei blue.
Conclusion: The method of impression cytology with cellulose acetate membrane is simple and has no injury to the ocular surface. Combined with immunohistochemistry staining, it is suitable to observe the conjunctival cells by this technique which has an important value for the examination of the ocular surface disease.