Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41874780›Full record

ReviewInternational ophthalmology2026

Corneal thinning and perforation: a narrative review of diagnostic and stepwise management strategies.

Halah Bin Helayel, Norah Bin Dakhil, Raed Alnutaifi, Faisal Alkathery, Yara Abukhaled, Bayan A Alsaif, Ahmed Aldayel, Omar Kirat, Rafah Fairaq

Abstract readReview
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In one paragraph

Review in International ophthalmology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

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.

2 · The registry

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.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Halah Bin HelayelAnterior Segment Division, King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Al-Urubah Road, Umm Al-Hamam West, 11462, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Norah Bin DakhilCollege of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Raed AlnutaifiCollege of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Faisal AlkatheryCollege of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.
Yara AbukhaledThe University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA.
Bayan A AlsaifDepartment of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, King Fahd Hospital of the University, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
Ahmed AldayelAnterior Segment Division, King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Al-Urubah Road, Umm Al-Hamam West, 11462, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Omar KiratAnterior Segment Division, King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Al-Urubah Road, Umm Al-Hamam West, 11462, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Rafah FairaqAnterior Segment Division, King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Al-Urubah Road, Umm Al-Hamam West, 11462, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. rafah.fairaq@gmail.com.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeCorneal perforation is a sight-threatening ophthalmic emergency caused by trauma, infection, autoimmune disease, or ocular surface disorders. Early recognition and timely management are critical to maintain globe integrity and prevent complications. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the diagnosis and management of corneal perforations.

methodsA narrative review of the literature was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar through 2025. Keywords included "corneal perforation," "corneal thinning," "corneal melt," "ulcerative keratitis," "tissue adhesive," "amniotic membrane transplantation," and "keratoplasty." English-language original studies, case series, and reviews were included, and unrelated reports were excluded. Data were qualitatively synthesized due to heterogeneity in study designs. Illustrative clinical cases from King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital were included to demonstrate real-world diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

resultsMajor causes of corneal perforation include infectious keratitis, autoimmune/inflammatory diseases, neurotrophic keratopathy, trauma (including iatrogenic), and degenerative or exposure-related conditions. Common clinical features are rapid vision loss, severe ocular pain, and tearing. Evaluation requires a careful, minimally manipulative examination with adjunctive imaging and systemic assessment when indicated. Management options include tissue adhesives, amniotic membrane grafts, platelet-rich plasma, lamellar or penetrating keratoplasty, and conjunctival flaps. Recent advances in biological adhesives, amniotic membrane techniques, and anterior segment imaging have expanded treatment options and improved outcomes. Follow-up is guided by slit lamp examinations and imaging.

conclusionThis review integrates recent evidence and evolving strategies to provide clinicians with a structured, stepwise framework for managing corneal perforations.

Indexed as

CorneaCorneal PerforationDisease ManagementAmnionCorneal TransplantationHumansAmniotic membrane transplantationCorneal perforationKeratoplastyMicrobial keratitisPeripheral ulcerative keratitisTissue adhesive

Identifiers

PMID41874780

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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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.