Evidence mapPaperPMID 41594872Full record

ReviewBiology2026

Corneal Neovascularization: Pathogenesis, Current Insights and Future Strategies.

Evita Muller, Leo Feinberg, Małgorzata Woronkowicz, Harry W Roberts

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Biology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing 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

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Review
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

4 authors.

Evita MullerWest of England Eye Unit, Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Exeter EX2 5DW, UK.ORCID 0009-0001-7973-3391
Leo FeinbergWest of England Eye Unit, Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Exeter EX2 5DW, UK.
Małgorzata WoronkowiczNorth Devon District Hospital, Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Barnstaple EX31 4JB, UK.ORCID 0000-0002-0545-9764
Harry W RobertsWest of England Eye Unit, Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Exeter EX2 5DW, UK.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The cornea is an avascular, immune-privileged tissue critical to maintaining transparency, optimal light refraction, and protection from microbial and immunogenic insults. Corneal neovascularization (CoNV) is a pathological sequela of multiple anterior segment diseases and presents a major cause for reduced visual acuity and overall quality of life. Various aetiologies, including infection (e.g., herpes simplex), inflammation (e.g., infective keratitis), hypoxia (e.g., contact lens overuse), degeneration (e.g., chemical burns), and trauma, disrupt the homeostatic avascular microenvironment, triggering an overactive compensatory response. This response is governed by a complex interplay of pro- and anti-angiogenic factors. This review investigates the potential for these mediators to serve as therapeutic targets. Current therapeutic strategies for CoNV encompass topical corticosteroids, anti-VEGF injections, fine-needle diathermy, and laser modalities including argon, photodynamic therapy and Nd:YAG. Emerging therapies involve steroid-sparing immunosuppressants (including cyclosporine and rapamycin), anti-fibrotic agents and advanced drug delivery systems, including ocular nanosystems and viral vectors, to enhance drug bioavailability. Adjunctive therapy to attenuate the protective corneal epithelium prior to target neovascular plexi are further explored. Gene-based approaches, such as Aganirsen (antisense oligonucleotides) and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated VEGF-A editing, have shown promise in preclinical studies for CoNV regression and remission. Given the multifactorial pathophysiology of CoNV, combination therapies targeting multiple molecular pathways may offer improved visual outcomes. Case studies of CoNV highlight the need for multifaceted approaches tailored to patient demographics and underlying ocular diseases. Future research and clinical trials are essential to elucidate optimal therapeutic strategies and explore combination therapies to ensure better management, improved treatment outcomes, and long-term remission of this visually disabling condition.

Indexed as

angiogenesisantiangiogenesisanti-VEGFCoNVcorneacorneal neovascularizationCRISPRgene-editingocular nanosystemsvascular endothelial growth factorVEGF

Identifiers

PMID41594872
PMCPMC12837649

What Socratic holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

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 Socratic graph.