C-Fiber Assays in the Cornea vs. Skin

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

• in vivo corneal confocal microscopy
• corneal nerves
• neuropathic pain
• innervation
• small fiber neuropathy
• subbasal nerve plexus
• nociceptors
• intraepidermal skin biopsy