Corneal confocal microscopy detects early nerve regeneration after pharmacological and surgical interventions: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) is an ophthalmic imaging technique that enables the identification of corneal nerve fibre degeneration and regeneration. To undertake a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies utilizing CCM to assess for corneal nerve regeneration after pharmacological and surgical interventions in patients with peripheral neuropathy. Databases (EMBASE [Ovid], PubMed, CENTRAL and Web of Science) were searched to summarize the evidence from randomized and non-randomized studies using CCM to detect corneal nerve regeneration after pharmacological and surgical interventions. Data synthesis was undertaken using RevMan web. Eighteen studies including 958 patients were included. CCM identified an early (1–8 months) and longer term (1–5 years) increase in corneal nerve measures in patients with peripheral neuropathy after pharmacological and surgical interventions. This meta-analysis confirms the utility of CCM to identify nerve regeneration following pharmacological and surgical interventions. It could be utilized to show a benefit in clinical trials of disease modifying therapies for peripheral neuropathy.