Topical insulin shows promise for corneal healing in neurotrophic keratopathy

Topical insulin eye drops show promising potential to promote corneal healing in patients with neurotrophic keratopathy, but larger randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm their long-term safety, optimal dosing, and effectiveness compared to conventional treatments, according to a new review.

The analysis examined current studies using the PICO framework and PRISMA guidelines to evaluate the effectiveness, mechanism of action, and clinical outcomes of insulin therapy for ocular surface repair.

Findings suggest that insulin drops may significantly promote epithelial regeneration and could serve as a cost-effective alternative or complement to traditional treatments like autologous serum or growth factors. However, most studies reviewed involved small sample sizes, and the lack of large randomized controlled trials limits definitive conclusions.

The authors call for further research to establish optimal dosing strategies and confirm long-term safety and efficacy.

Reference
Scripcă R, Istrate S, Ungureanu E, et al. The Therapeutic Potential of Insulin Eye Drops in Neurotrophic Keratopathy: A Comprehensive Review. Biomedicines. 2025 Jul 7;13(7):1657. doi: 10.3390/biomedicines13071657. PMID: 40722729; PMCID: PMC12292297.