Examination of corneal nerve morphology by confocal microscopy
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Characterization of corneal subbasal nerve plexus morphology using in vivo confocal microscopy in patients with corneal nerve disorders
IRAS ID
259765
Contact name
Daniel F P Larkin
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Research Summary
Corneal in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) is a well established non-invasive technique for providing pictures of cellular and pathological structures of the cornea at high magnification. It provides images which are comparable to in vitro histochemical techniques in assessing the various layers of the cornea including epithelium, stroma, endothelium and nerve fibres within the cornea. IVCM has been used to assess a range of pathological corneal diseases and more recently it has been used as a marker in a range of peripheral nerve disorders caused by systemic diseases such as diabetes and HIV. We would like to investigate the morphological changes of the nerves in patients with known corneal neuropathy due to a variety of disorders. We will establish whether identifiable nerve morphology abnormalities are found in some or all disorders associated with corneal anaesthesia. Potential importance of successful completion of the project will be identification of subgroups of patients who might benefit from a new generation of nerve growth factor and similar drugs.
Summary of Results
Patients with congenital and acquired corneal anaesthesia (absence of sensation) have abnormalities on the surface of their cornea (clear front window of eye) which might be related to abnormal corneal nerve morphology or nerve function. This study has shown patients with congenital anaesthesia have reduce corneal nerve density examined with non-invasive confocal microscopy imaging of the cornea when compared to normal healthy control subjects. The reduction in corneal nerve density in patients with corneal anaesthesia also correlated with the absence of patients' cornea sensation when tested with the Cochet Bonnet aesthesiometer (thin nylon thread used to test cornea sensation).
REC name
West Midlands - Edgbaston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/WM/0227
Date of REC Opinion
19 Aug 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion