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Prevention, Diagnosis, and Clinical Treatment of Corneal Diseases

A special issue of Journal of Clinical Medicine (ISSN 2077-0383). This special issue belongs to the section "Ophthalmology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 March 2026) | Viewed by 1217

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Azienda Osepdaliera San Giovanni Addolorata, 00184 Roma, Italy
Interests: corneal diseases; ocular surface disorders; dry eye disease; cornea transplant; stem cell therapy; eye bank

E-Mail
Guest Editor
Azienda Osepdaliera San Giovanni Addolorata, 00184 Roma, Italy
Interests: corneal imaging; corneal diseases; cornea transplant; ocular surface inflammation; anterior segment imaging; eye bank
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Corneal diseases remain a leading cause of visual impairment worldwide, encompassing a wide spectrum of conditions including infections, dystrophies, degenerations, and trauma.

This Special Issue will provide a comprehensive overview of current advances and future directions in the prevention, diagnosis, and clinical management of corneal disorders.

Recent innovations in imaging technologies, including anterior segment OCT and in vivo confocal microscopy, have significantly enhanced our ability to detect and monitor corneal pathology with greater precision. At the same time, the integration of molecular diagnostics and artificial intelligence is opening up new avenues for early disease detection and personalized care. Preventive strategies are increasingly recognized as essential tools in reducing the burden of corneal blindness.

On the therapeutic front, evolving medical and surgical interventions—including topical immunomodulators, crosslinking techniques, lamellar keratoplasty, and regenerative therapies—are reshaping the clinical landscape.

Finally, the availability of donated corneas—facilitated by the efforts of eye banks—is essential in successful transplantation and ensuring access to corneal tissue. Preservation methods include the responsibilities of procurement, storage, and preparation of the tissues for the operating room. Contributions to this Special Issue should highlight both established and emerging treatment paradigms, with a focus on evidence-based approaches and patient-centered outcomes.

By fostering interdisciplinary dialog and showcasing state-of-the-art research, this Special Issue will improve care for patients affected by corneal disease.

Dr. Rossella Anna Maria Colabelli-Gisoldi
Dr. Fabio Scarinci
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • dry eye disease
  • cornea transplant
  • stem cell therapy
  • corneal imaging
  • cornea disease
  • deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty
  • descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty
  • descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty
  • keratoconus
  • eye bank

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 1237 KB  
Article
Intraoperative Use of a Topical Anesthetic Gel Versus Balanced Salt Solution During Cataract Surgery: Effects on Corneal Structure and Ocular Surface
by Pier Giuseppe Ruggeri, Alberto Carnicci, Matilde Buzzi, Fabrizio Giansanti and Rita Mencucci
J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(5), 1992; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15051992 - 5 Mar 2026
Viewed by 182
Abstract
Background/Objectives: During cataract surgery, topical anesthesia is routinely achieved through the instillation of topical anesthetic eye drops, while different agents may be applied to the corneal surface during the procedure to support lubrication and protection. The impact of these intraoperative strategies on corneal [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: During cataract surgery, topical anesthesia is routinely achieved through the instillation of topical anesthetic eye drops, while different agents may be applied to the corneal surface during the procedure to support lubrication and protection. The impact of these intraoperative strategies on corneal integrity and postoperative ocular surface recovery remains an area of clinical interest. This study aimed to compare the intraoperative and postoperative effects of applying a topical anesthetic gel (Ophtesic, Horus Pharma) on the corneal surface versus the use of balanced salt solution (BSS) during cataract surgery. Methods: In this longitudinal, observational prospective study, 24 eyes of 24 patients undergoing phacoemulsification received either topical anesthetic gel (n = 15) or BSS irrigation (n = 9). Central corneal thickness (CCT) and epithelial thickness were measured preoperatively and on postoperative days 1, 5, and 15 using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). Basal epithelial cell (BEC) density was assessed by in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM), while OSDI score, non-invasive breakup time (NI-BUT), and Schirmer test I values were evaluated preoperatively and on postoperative days 5 and 15. Patient and surgeon satisfaction were rated using a Likert-like scale. Results: Both groups showed increased CCT and epithelial thickness at day 1. In the gel group, CCT returned to baseline by day 15 (p = 0.361), and epithelial thickness normalized by day 5 (p = 0.066). In the BSS group, CCT remained elevated at day 15 (p < 0.05), and epithelial thickness decreased at day 5 (p < 0.05) before returning to baseline. BEC density normalized at day 15 in the gel group (p = 0.107) but remained altered in the BSS group (p < 0.05). NI-BUT Schirmer I, and OSDI showed a trend toward faster recovery in the gel group than in the BSS group. Conclusions: In this exploratory study, intraoperative application of a topical anesthetic gel appeared to support early normalization of corneal and tear film parameters while providing effective anesthesia. Further studies are warranted to confirm these observations and evaluate potential long-term benefits. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prevention, Diagnosis, and Clinical Treatment of Corneal Diseases)
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10 pages, 1009 KB  
Article
Impact of Stromal Deposit Depth on Pneumatic Dissection During DALK for TGFBI Corneal Dystrophies
by Luca Lucchino, Giacomo Visioli, Giulio Pocobelli, Fabio Scarinci, Rossella Anna Maria Colabelli Gisoldi, Chiara Komaiha, Giacinta Buffon, Marco Marenco, Alessandro Lambiase and Augusto Pocobelli
J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(3), 917; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15030917 - 23 Jan 2026
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Abstract
Objectives: To evaluate whether preoperative anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) parameters differ according to Big Bubble (BB) formation during deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) in patients with TGFBI-related corneal stromal dystrophies (CSD). Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 17 eyes [...] Read more.
Objectives: To evaluate whether preoperative anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) parameters differ according to Big Bubble (BB) formation during deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) in patients with TGFBI-related corneal stromal dystrophies (CSD). Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 17 eyes from 12 patients undergoing DALK with an attempted BB technique. Stromal deposit depth was assessed by AS-OCT using both a categorical depth-based classification (anterior, mid-, and posterior stroma) and continuous measurements of stromal involvement (µm). The ratio between stromal involvement and the thinnest corneal point was calculated. Intraoperative data included BB success, BB type, and complications. Inter-eye correlation was accounted for in comparisons of continuous variables using linear mixed-effects models. Results: BB formation was achieved in 11 of 17 eyes (64.7%), with type 1 BB observed in all successful cases. BB success was observed in all eyes with anterior or mid-stromal involvement and in 33.3% of eyes with posterior stromal involvement. Greater stromal deposit depth and a higher stromal-depth-to-thinnest-point ratio were observed in eyes in which BB formation failed (p < 0.01). No intraoperative perforations or conversions to penetrating keratoplasty occurred. Inter-observer agreement for AS-OCT measurements was high. Conclusions: BB failure was more frequent in eyes with greater absolute and relative stromal deposit depth, as assessed by preoperative AS-OCT during DALK in TGFBI-related CSD. These AS-OCT-derived parameters may support surgical planning and improve patient selection for BB DALK in this clinical setting. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prevention, Diagnosis, and Clinical Treatment of Corneal Diseases)
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11 pages, 805 KB  
Article
Impact of Superficial Keratectomy on Corneal Topography, Aberration, and Densitometry in Salzmann Nodular Degeneration
by Ziqiao Qi, Ritika Mukhija, Gabriella Quiney and Mayank A. Nanavaty
J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(1), 178; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15010178 - 26 Dec 2025
Viewed by 475
Abstract
Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in corneal topography, wavefront aberrations, and densitometry after superficial keratectomy (SK) for Salzmann nodular degeneration (SND). Methods: This was an observational retrospective study. Pre- and post-operative data, including best spectacle-corrected visual [...] Read more.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in corneal topography, wavefront aberrations, and densitometry after superficial keratectomy (SK) for Salzmann nodular degeneration (SND). Methods: This was an observational retrospective study. Pre- and post-operative data, including best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), refraction, and Pentacam® topography scans, were analysed. Changes in keratometry (K), wavefront aberrations, and corneal optical densitometry (COD) were evaluated. Results: A total of 21 eyes of 17 patients who underwent SK for SND were included. At an average follow-up of 6.3 ± 4.4 months, there was a significant reduction in RMS (root mean square) values for total wavefront aberrations after surgery (mean reduction: −3.89 ± 4.08 μm, p = 0.001), lower-order aberrations (mean reduction: −3.47 ± 3.52 μm, p = 0.001), and higher-order aberrations (mean: −0.42 ± 0.58 μm, p < 0.001). There was a significant improvement in BCVA (mean change: 0.27 ± 0.31 logMAR, p < 0.001) and spherical equivalent (mean change: −2.09 ± 2.73 D, p = 0.002), and a reduction in refractive cylinder (mean reduction: −0.85 ± 1.14 D, p = 0.008). There was a significant reduction in corneal astigmatism (mean reduction 1.04 ± 2.88 D; p = 0.041), and an increase in flat keratometry (mean change 1.46 ± 3.10 D; p = 0.029). Lastly, there was a significant decrease in total COD values in all zones except for the central 2 mm (p < 0.05) and in the overall total 12 mm cornea (p = 0.035). Conclusions: SK for SND resulted in better visual acuity and potentially improved quality as suggested by the reduction in corneal aberrations and improvement in corneal regularity and transparency. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prevention, Diagnosis, and Clinical Treatment of Corneal Diseases)
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