ReviewClinical ophthalmology (Auckland, N.Z.)2025
In vivo Confocal Microscopy for Corneal and Ocular Surface Pathologies: A Comprehensive Review.
Review in Clinical ophthalmology (Auckland, N.Z.), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 10 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
10 citing papers in PubMed.
- Corneal nerve regeneration: treatments and monitoring approaches.Annals of medicine · 2026Review
- Corneal Innervation Research at a Crossroads: A Tool-Driven Roadmap for the Future.Investigative ophthalmology & visual science · 2026Review
- In vivo corneal microscopy: from image to insight - where are we going?Zeitschrift fur medizinische Physik · 2026Review
- Imaging of Ocular Surface Lesions Using Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography.Clinical & experimental ophthalmology · 2026Review
- Peripheral Ulcerative Keratitis: Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Multimodal Management.Journal of clinical medicine · 2026Review
- Article
- Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: New Diagnostics and Treatment Perspectives.Drugs & aging · 2026Review
- Electroacupuncture Ameliorates Scopolamine-Induced Dry Eye Disease in Mice by Restoring Lacrimal Gland Lipid Homeostasis and Reducing IL-1β/IL-18 Expression.Journal of immunology research · 2026Article
- Enhanced Imaging of Ocular Surface Lesions.Journal of clinical medicine · 2025Review
- Case Report: Confocal microscopy in the early diagnosis of microsporidial keratitis.Frontiers in medicine · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
9 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Background: In vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) is an advanced imaging technique that enables real-time, high-resolution visualization of corneal microstructures. Its clinical applications have expanded significantly, offering valuable insights into the pathophysiology of various ocular surface and corneal disorders. Despite its utility, challenges in standardization, accessibility, and integration into routine practice limit its widespread adoption. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using PubMed with the keywords "in vivo confocal microscopy", "corneal diseases", and "ocular surface". From 1835 articles retrieved, studies published within the last seven years with clinical relevance were prioritized, yielding 51 articles. Data were synthesized to evaluate IVCM's diagnostic capabilities, technical advancements, and applications across corneal pathologies, including infectious keratitis, dystrophies, and post-surgical outcomes. Results: IVCM was shown to provide unparalleled visualization of cellular and subcellular corneal structures, enabling early diagnosis and monitoring of conditions such as keratitis caused by Acanthamoeba and fungi, corneal dystrophies, and nerve regeneration following refractive or transplant surgeries. Innovative applications include its use in regenerative therapies, such as adipose-derived stem cell implantation, demonstrating increases in keratocyte density and stromal integrity. However, limitations include operator dependency, high costs, and the need for further technological refinements, such as wide-field imaging and non-contact modalities. Conclusion: IVCM represents a transformative tool in ophthalmology, bridging the gap between clinical evaluation and cellular-level diagnostics. Advances in imaging technologies and the integration of artificial intelligence hold the potential to overcome current limitations, enhancing its diagnostic precision and applicability. Standardization of protocols and expanded access will be pivotal in establishing IVCM as a cornerstone in the management of corneal diseases and ocular surface disorders.
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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.