Table 3 Summary of the results of quantitative in vivo confocal microscopy studies of the sub-basal nerve plexus following corneal surgery
Sub-basal nerve density (mm/mm2)No of sub-basal nerves (nerves/mm2)Sub-basal nerve diameter (μm)
Postpenetrating keratoplasty
    Patel et al28 (94 eyes) TSCM0.150 (median)
    Niederer et al9 (42 eyes) LSCM1.83 (3.42)
Photorefractive keratectomy
    Erie et al29 (18 eyes) TSCM
        1 year2.76 (1.32)
        2 years6.24 (1.76)
        5 years5.90 (3.01)
Laser-assisted-epithelial keratomileusis
    Erie et al29 (16 eyes) TSCM
        1 year2.75 (2.91)
        2 years3.66 (2.77)
        5 years4.44 (2.82)
    Calvillo et al14 (17 eyes) TSCM
        1 year2.38 (median)
        2 years3.18 (median)
    Lee et al30 (56 eyes) SSCM1.01 (1.71) (units not stated)
        6 months
    Darwish et al31 (20 eyes) SSCM4.18 (1.98)26 (15)
        6 months
Laser in situ keratomileusis (6 months postop)
    Darwish et al32 (35 eyes) SSCM3.35 (1.30)21.33 (7.64)1.29 (0.32)
    Darwish et al31 (30 eyes) SSCM3.40 (1.30)22 (9)
    Lee et al30 (52 eyes) SSCM2.79 (0.61) (units not stated)

  • LCSM, laser scanning confocal microscope; SSCM, slit-scanning confocal microscope; TSCM, tandem scanning confocal microscope.