Kesimal Bedia, Kocamış Sücattin İlker
Department of Ophthalmology, Dışkapı Yıldırım Beyazıt Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
Clin Exp Optom. 2025 Feb 11:1-9. doi: 10.1080/08164622.2025.2459345.
In vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) is a pivotal imaging tool in ophthalmology, enabling the non-invasive, real-time visualisation of corneal microstructures. Its clinical importance lies in its ability to diagnose and monitor a wide range of corneal and ocular surface conditions at a cellular level, enhancing early detection and treatment outcomes.
IVCM enables detailed visualisation of corneal structures and has broad applications in diagnosing and managing corneal and ocular surface diseases. Despite its widespread use, no global bibliometric analysis of IVCM research in ophthalmology has been conducted to date. This study aims to bridge this gap by identifying influential articles, authors, institutions, and emerging trends in IVCM research.
A bibliometric analysis was conducted using the Web of Science Core Collection database. Articles and reviews in the ophthalmology research area were identified by searching for 'confocal microscopy' within titles and author keywords. Sub-analyses focused on corneal nerves and immune cells. Data were visualised using VOSviewer to create overlay visualisation maps, highlighting research trends and connections.
A total of 1,389 articles were identified, with 600 published in the last decade. Corneal nerve studies constituted 425 publications, with an h-index of 68 and 38.81 citations per article. Immune cell studies accounted for 182 publications, with an h-index of 36 and 25.79 citations per article. The United States, China, and Italy were the most productive countries, while Harvard Medical School and the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Department of Ophthalmology led institutional output. Emerging keywords included 'limbal stem cell deficiency', 'deep learning', and 'artificial intelligence'.
This study underscores the increasing impact and versatility of IVCM in ophthalmology. The findings highlight key contributors and trends, providing a roadmap for future research. The integration of artificial intelligence and novel analytical techniques will likely drive further advancements, enhancing the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of IVCM.
体内共聚焦显微镜检查（IVCM）是眼科的一种关键成像工具，能够对角膜微观结构进行非侵入性实时可视化。其临床重要性在于能够在细胞水平诊断和监测多种角膜及眼表疾病，提高早期检测和治疗效果。
IVCM能够详细可视化角膜结构，在角膜和眼表疾病的诊断及管理中具有广泛应用。尽管其应用广泛，但迄今为止尚未对眼科IVCM研究进行全球文献计量分析。本研究旨在通过识别IVCM研究中有影响力的文章、作者、机构及新趋势来填补这一空白。
使用科学网核心合集数据库进行文献计量分析。通过在标题和作者关键词中搜索“共聚焦显微镜检查”来识别眼科研究领域的文章和综述。子分析聚焦于角膜神经和免疫细胞。使用VOSviewer对数据进行可视化处理，以创建叠加可视化地图，突出研究趋势和联系。
共识别出1389篇文章，其中600篇发表于过去十年。角膜神经研究有425篇出版物，h指数为68，每篇文章平均被引38.81次。免疫细胞研究占182篇出版物，h指数为36，每篇文章平均被引25.79次。美国、中国和意大利是产出最多的国家，而哈佛医学院和麻省眼耳医院眼科在机构产出方面领先。新出现的关键词包括“角膜缘干细胞缺乏”“深度学习”和“人工智能”。
本研究强调了IVCM在眼科中日益增加的影响力和多功能性。研究结果突出了关键贡献者和趋势，为未来研究提供了路线图。人工智能与新型分析技术的整合可能会推动进一步发展，增强IVCM的诊断和治疗潜力。
