SynthesisGraefe's archive for clinical and experimental ophthalmology = Albrecht von Graefes Archiv fur klinische und experimentelle Ophthalmologie2025
Topical insulin as a novel treatment for persistent epithelial defects and other ocular surface disorders: a systematic review.
Synthesis in Graefe's archive for clinical and experimental ophthalmology = Albrecht von Graefes Archiv fur klinische und experimentelle Ophthalmologie, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed.
- ICU-Associated Exposure Keratopathy and Preventable Corneal Blindness: A Clinical Review.Clinical ophthalmology (Auckland, N.Z.) · 2026Review
- The Therapeutic Approach and Mechanism of Action of Insulin Eye Drops for the Treatment of Neurotrophic Keratitis.Drug design, development and therapy · 2026Review
- Efficacy and Safety of Topical Insulin Eye Drops for Corneal Epithelial Defects: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation Assessment.Beyoglu eye journal · 2025Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
purposeThrough this systematic review, we evaluated the therapeutic potential of topical eye insulin in different concentrations to treat several surface ocular pathologies, including: persistent epithelial defects, diabetic keratopathy after a vitrectomy, neutrophic keratopathy and dry eye syndrome. We have consolidated through the data, what are the doses used, the methods of preparation for insulin, whether there are adverse effects and what would be the effectiveness of the eye drops with insulin.
methodsWe carried out an extensive search including Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Scopus and Web Of Science. We found 43 relevant studies, after which we excluded duplicates, animal studies, case reports, we ended up with 13 studies to include in the article. Through the Newcastle-Ottawa scale for observational studies and the Jadad scale for randomized controlled trials, we investigated the methodological quality of these articles.
resultsWithin the review we included a significant number of 268 patients who used eye drops with insulin in concentrations from 0.5 to 2 U/ml administered typically four times per day, having an ocular benefit in corneal healing rates without adverse effects. The quality analysis of the included studies showed a NOS score of moderate-high quality, whereas the Jadad scale showed a high quality.
conclusionsOur systematic review demonstrates that topical insulin is a promising therapeutic option for persistent epithelial defects, diabetic keratopathy following vitrectomy, neurotrophic keratopathy, and dry eye syndrome, significantly enhancing corneal healing rates with a favorable safety profile. Given its accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and potential superiority over conventional treatments, topical insulin could serve as an alternative or adjunct to therapies such as autologous serum and amniotic membrane transplantation.
Indexed as
Identifiers
40381039What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.