title: Neuronal Changes in the Diabetic Cornea: Perspectives for Neuroprotection.
abstract: Diabetic neuropathy is associated with neurotrophic ulcerations of the skin and cornea. Decreased corneal sensitivity and impaired innervation lead to weakened epithelial wound healing predisposing patients to ocular complications such as corneal infections, stromal opacification, and surface irregularity. This review presents recent findings on impaired corneal innervation in diabetic individuals, and the findings suggest that corneal neuropathy might be an early indicator of diabetic neuropathy. Additionally, the recent findings for neuroprotective and regenerative therapy for diabetic keratopathy are presented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Inohana 1-8-1, Chuo-ku, Chiba, Chiba 260-8670, Japan.
authors.forename: Guzel
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-7715-7466
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bikbova
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Inohana 1-8-1, Chuo-ku, Chiba, Chiba 260-8670, Japan.
authors.forename: Toshiyuki
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-8273-845X
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Oshitari
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Inohana 1-8-1, Chuo-ku, Chiba, Chiba 260-8670, Japan.
authors.forename: Takayuki
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-8178-8391
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Baba
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Inohana 1-8-1, Chuo-ku, Chiba, Chiba 260-8670, Japan.
authors.forename: Shuichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology*; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000473:pathology*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000473:pathology; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D000066829:Neuroprotection / Q000502:physiology*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology