C-Fiber Assays in the Cornea vs. Skin

Eric A Moulton, David Borsook, Eric A Moulton, David Borsook

Abstract

C-fibers are unmyelinated nerve fibers that transmit high threshold mechanical, thermal, and chemical signals that are associated with pain sensations. This review examines current literature on measuring altered peripheral nerve morphology and discusses the most relevant aspects of corneal microscopy, especially whether corneal imaging presents significant method advantages over skin biopsy. Given its relative merits, corneal confocal microscopy would seem to be a more practical and patient-centric approach than utilizing skin biopsies.

Keywords: corneal nerves; in vivo corneal confocal microscopy; innervation; intraepidermal skin biopsy; neuropathic pain; nociceptors; small fiber neuropathy; subbasal nerve plexus.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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