Table 4 Summary of surgical and non-surgical management for ocular and peri-ocular study findings

Visual acuity follow-up

The mean visual acuity on follow-up ranged across control groups from 0.01 to 0.41

The mean visual acuity on follow-up in the intervention groups was 0.44 higher (0.07 to 0.81 higher)

SMD 0.44 (0.07 to 0.81)

262 (4 studies)

⊕⊕⊝⊝

Low^{b, c, d, e}

Change in epithelial area (mm²)

The mean change in epithelial area ranged across control groups from 26mm² to 48mm²

The mean change in epithelial area in the intervention groups was 1.37 higher (0.4 to 2.34 higher)

SMD 1.37 (0.40 to 2.34)

68 (2 studies)

⊕⊕⊝⊝

Low^{b, c, d}

Healed epithelial defect

RR 1.22 (1.02 to 1.46)

68 (2 studies)

⊕⊕⊝⊝

Low^{b, c, d}

758 per 1000

925 per 1000

(773 to 1000)

Wound/ocular infection

RR 11.17 (1.28 to 597.85)

173 (2 studies)

⊕⊕⊕⊝

Moderate^{b, d}

0 per 1000

0 per 1000

(0 to 0)

Symblepharon follow-up

RR 0.55 (0.26 to 1.15)

312 (5 studies)

⊕⊕⊕⊝

Moderate^{c, d}

610 per 1000

336 per 1000

(159 to 701)

Ectropion follow-up

RR 7.30 (0.80 to 66.42)

259 (3 studies)

⊕⊕⊝⊝

Low^{b, c, e}

67 per 1000

487 per 1000

(53 to 1000)

Corneal vascularization follow-up

RR 0.64 (0.32 to 1.28)

336 (6 studies)

⊕⊕⊕⊝

Moderate^{b, c}

42 per 1000

17 per 1000

(3 to 105)