Fig. 2

Representative images of fluorescein staining of the corneal surface and IVCM images showing the central and peripheral cornea sectors in a successful case (patient no. 2). 0wk, baseline: corneal ulcer highlighted by positive fluorescein staining (A); presence of loose exfoliating epithelial cells at the ulcer margins (B); rare subbasal nerves visible only in the superior sector (S). 8wk, 8 weeks, end of therapy: complete closure of the ulcer and negative fluorescein staining (A), with immature epithelial cells that fill the bed of the previous ulcer (B); Initial subbasal nerve regrowth from the periphery to the center in the superior (S) and the temporal (T) sector, with rare tiny nerves visible also in the central sector (C). 8mth, 8-month follow-up: absence of fluorescein staining (A); closure of the ulcer is maintained, with presence of mature clear epithelium (B); subbasal corneal nerve plexus present in all but the inferior sectors (T, S, C, N). A, fluorescein staining in cobalt blue light; B, epithelium at the site of the ulcer; C, central sector; I, inferior sector; N, nasal sector; S, superior sector, T, temporal sector