Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 4 complete abstracts (713 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
An excessive amount of fluid in the cornea due to damage of the epithelium or endothelium causing decreased visual acuity.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Corneal Edemas; Edema, Corneal; Edemas, Corneal.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Corneal Diseases
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 1,945 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Corneal Edema” (counts retrieved 2026-11-04). 389 of them (20.0%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is 2010-2019 with 693 records.
Reviews account for 102 records (5.2%) and meta-analyses for 5. Randomized controlled trials number 95 (4.9%) as a share of all records on the topic.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 370 |
| 2000-2009 | 493 |
| 2010-2019 | 693 |
| 2020 onward | 389 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 102 | 5.2% |
| Meta-analyses | 5 | 0.3% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 95 | 4.9% |
Method: PubMed query "Corneal Edema"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-11-04.
Reading the evidence in eye, ear, nose and throat
Eye, hearing, nose and throat studies rely on specialist tests (visual acuity, eye pressure, audiograms, scopes) and on patient-reported symptoms, which vary between people and with age. Some conditions improve without treatment, so comparison groups matter. Nothing on this page is advice about diagnosis or treatment; sudden loss of sight or hearing needs urgent care from a qualified clinician. Check how the outcome was tested, the age of the people studied and how long they were followed.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
Functional Evaluation of Two Corneal Endothelial Cell-Based Therapies: Tissue-Engineered Construct and Cell Injection [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Restoration of vision due to corneal blindness from corneal endothelial dysfunction can be achieved via a corneal transplantation.
- Closing excerpt
- This study showed that regulatory compliant cell-based therapy for corneal endothelial dysfunction can be delivered by both TE-EK and CE-CI, and holds great promise as an alternative to traditional corneal transplantation.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (205 words)
Restoration of vision due to corneal blindness from corneal endothelial dysfunction can be achieved via a corneal transplantation. However, global shortage of donor tissues has driven the development cell-based therapeutics. With the capacity to propagate regulatory compliant human corneal endothelial cells (CEnCs), this study evaluated the functionality of propagated CEnCs delivered via tissue-engineered endothelial keratoplasty (TE-EK) or corneal endothelial cell injection (CE-CI) within a rabbit model of bullous keratopathy. For animals with TE-EK grafts, central corneal thickness (CCT) increased to >1000 μm post-operatively. Gradual thinning with improvements in corneal clarity was observed from week 1. CCT at week 3 was 484.3 ± 73.7 μm. In rabbits with CE-CI, corneal clarity was maintained throughout, and CCT at week 3 was 582.5 ± 171.5 μm. Control corneas remained significantly edematous throughout the study period compared to their respective experimental groups (p < 0.05). Characterization of excised corneas showed a monolayer with heterogeneously shaped CEnCs in both TE-EK and CE-CI groups. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated reactivity to anti-human specific nuclei antibody attributing corneal recovery to the functional human CEnCs. This study showed that regulatory compliant cell-based therapy for corneal endothelial dysfunction can be delivered by both TE-EK and CE-CI, and holds great promise as an alternative to traditional corneal transplantation.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 30988373 · DOI · PMC6465252
Quantitative evaluation of corneal epithelial edema after cataract surgery using corneal densitometry: a prospective study [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- PurposeThe optical density of the cornea can be evaluated quantitatively by "densitometry" using a rotating Scheimpflug camera.
- Closing excerpt
- 84 on day 1 (P ConclusionsDensitometry is useful to detect corneal edema that is not detectable by slit-lamp examination.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (112 words)
PurposeThe optical density of the cornea can be evaluated quantitatively by "densitometry" using a rotating Scheimpflug camera. Densitometry allows evaluation of corneal opacity in the anterior segment of the eye by quantitative measurement of scattering light. In the present investigation, we evaluate quantitatively minimal subclinical corneal edema after cataract surgery using densitometry.MethodsFifty four eyes of 34 patients who underwent cataract surgery were enrolled. Measurement of corneal density was performed using Pentacam® before and on days 1, 3 and 7 after surgery.ResultsDensitometry scores increased from 18.12 ± 1.76 before cataract surgery to 21.03 ± 3.84 on day 1 (P ConclusionsDensitometry is useful to detect corneal edema that is not detectable by slit-lamp examination.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 30572855 · DOI · PMC6302480
Topical application of calcitonin gene-related peptide as a regenerative, antifibrotic, and immunomodulatory therapy for corneal injury [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a multifunctional neuropeptide abundantly expressed by corneal nerves.
- Closing excerpt
- In addition, our results highlight the critical role of sensory nerves in ocular surface homeostasis and injury repair.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (150 words)
Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a multifunctional neuropeptide abundantly expressed by corneal nerves. Using a murine model of corneal mechanical injury, we found CGRP levels in the cornea significantly reduced after injury. Topical application of CGRP as an eye drop accelerates corneal epithelial wound closure, reduces corneal opacification, and prevents corneal edema after injury in vivo. CGRP promotes corneal epithelial cell migration, proliferation, and the secretion of laminin. It reduces TGF-β1 signaling and prevents TGF-β1-mediated stromal fibroblast activation and tissue fibrosis. CGRP preserves corneal endothelial cell density, morphology, and pump function, thus reducing corneal edema. Lastly, CGRP reduces neutrophil infiltration, macrophage maturation, and the production of inflammatory cytokines in the cornea. Taken together, our results show that corneal nerve-derived CGRP plays a cytoprotective, pro-regenerative, anti-fibrotic, and anti-inflammatory role in corneal wound healing. In addition, our results highlight the critical role of sensory nerves in ocular surface homeostasis and injury repair.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 38438549 · DOI · PMC10912681
Corneal and Endothelial Parameters Following Scleral Lens Wear in Post-Keratoplasty Eyes [4]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- PurposeTo investigate the changes in corneal endothelial morphology and central corneal thickness following short-term scleral lens wear in eyes that had undergone penetrating keratoplasty (PK) and deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK), and to examine the association between baseline endothelial characteristics and the magnitude of scleral lens-induced corneal oedema.
- Closing excerpt
- ConclusionsShort-term scleral lens wear induced significant corneal swelling in post-keratoplasty eyes but was not associated with baseline endothelial parameters.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (246 words)
PurposeTo investigate the changes in corneal endothelial morphology and central corneal thickness following short-term scleral lens wear in eyes that had undergone penetrating keratoplasty (PK) and deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK), and to examine the association between baseline endothelial characteristics and the magnitude of scleral lens-induced corneal oedema.MethodsTwelve eyes were fitted with non-fenestrated scleral lenses (oxygen permeability [Dk] 100; centre thickness ≈ 250 µm). Endothelial cell density (ECD), coefficient of variation in cell size (CoV), percentage of hexagonal cells (% Hex) and central corneal thickness (CCT) were measured before and immediately after 8 h of scleral lens wear using specular microscopy.ResultsFollowing lens wear, ECD (2041 ± 557 vs 1827 ± 481 cells/mm²) and % Hex (44.4 ± 12.0% vs 38.2 ± 10.0%) decreased, while CoV (37.3 ± 10.3% vs 42.4 ± 9.4%) and CCT (485.3 ± 47.1 vs 520.4 ± 51.3 µm, 7.2 ± 3.1% oedema) increased (all p ≤ 0.001). These short‑term specular microscopy-derived changes in ECD and endothelial morphology may be an imaging artefact associated with transient corneal swelling rather than true endothelial cell loss. The magnitude of corneal oedema was not associated with any baseline corneal endothelial parameters (p > 0.20) but correlated with graft age (r = 0.80). Corneal oedema was greater in PK than DALK eyes (11.38% vs 5.23%, p = 0.003), and PK grafts were older on average (7 vs 5 years).ConclusionsShort-term scleral lens wear induced significant corneal swelling in post-keratoplasty eyes but was not associated with baseline endothelial parameters.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 42274949 · DOI · PMC13396062
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article The balance between corneal transparency and edema: the Proctor Lecture [5]
- Research article Transparency, swelling and scarring in the corneal stroma [6]
- Research article Acute corneal hydrops in keratoconus - new perspectives [7]
- Research article New therapeutic modality for corneal endothelial disease using Rho-associated kinase inhibitor eye drops [8]
- Research article Acute corneal hydrops in keratoconus [9]
- Research article Endothelial failure after collagen cross-linking with riboflavin and UV-A: case report with literature review [10]
References
- Peh GSL, Ong HS, Adnan K, Ang HP, Lwin CN, Seah XY, et al.. Functional Evaluation of Two Corneal Endothelial Cell-Based Therapies: Tissue-Engineered Construct and Cell Injection. . 2019. PMID 30988373 · DOI · PMC6465252
- Ishikawa S, Kato N, Takeuchi M. Quantitative evaluation of corneal epithelial edema after cataract surgery using corneal densitometry: a prospective study. . 2018. PMID 30572855 · DOI · PMC6302480
- Zidan AA, Zhu S, Elbasiony E, Najafi S, Lin Z, Singh RB, et al.. Topical application of calcitonin gene-related peptide as a regenerative, antifibrotic, and immunomodulatory therapy for corneal injury. . 2024. PMID 38438549 · DOI · PMC10912681
- Raj A, Kumari A, Dumpati S, Willcox M, Vincent SJ, Kumar M. Corneal and Endothelial Parameters Following Scleral Lens Wear in Post-Keratoplasty Eyes. . 2026. PMID 42274949 · DOI · PMC13396062
- Edelhauser HF. The balance between corneal transparency and edema: the Proctor Lecture. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2006. PMID 16638979 · DOI
- Meek KM, Leonard DW, Connon CJ, Dennis S, Khan S. Transparency, swelling and scarring in the corneal stroma. Eye (Lond). 2003. PMID 14631399 · DOI
- Fan Gaskin JC, Patel DV, McGhee CN. Acute corneal hydrops in keratoconus - new perspectives. Am J Ophthalmol. 2014. PMID 24491416 · DOI
- Koizumi N, Okumura N, Ueno M, Kinoshita S. New therapeutic modality for corneal endothelial disease using Rho-associated kinase inhibitor eye drops. Cornea. 2014. PMID 25289721 · DOI
- Maharana PK, Sharma N, Vajpayee RB. Acute corneal hydrops in keratoconus. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2013. PMID 23925338 · DOI · PMC3775088
- Bagga B, Pahuja S, Murthy S, Sangwan VS. Endothelial failure after collagen cross-linking with riboflavin and UV-A: case report with literature review. Cornea. 2012. PMID 22960648 · DOI
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-11-04; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-11-04.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.