Neurotrophic Keratitis

• Published in: Ophthalmologica (Basel) Vol. 231; no. 4; pp. 191 - 197
• Main Authors: Semeraro, F., Forbice, E., Romano, V., Angi, M., Romano, M.R., Filippelli, M.E., Di Iorio, R., Costagliola, C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel, Switzerland S. Karger AG 01.01.2014
• Subjects: Anesthesia; Animals; Cornea - innervation; Humans; Hypesthesia - etiology; Keratitis - diagnosis; Keratitis - etiology; Keratitis - therapy; Review; Trigeminal Nerve Diseases - complications; Neurotrophic keratitis; Corneal sensitivity; Trigeminal nerve; Stromal ulcers; Corneal vascularization
• ISSN: 0030-3755; 1423-0267
• DOI: 10.1159/000354380

Neurotrophic keratitis (NK) is a rare degenerative corneal disease that occurs as a result of partial or total impairment of trigeminal innervations, leading to a reduction (hypoesthesia) in or loss (anaesthesia) of corneal sensitivity. The impairment of sensory innervation causes a reduction in the lacrimation reflex and the vitality, metabolism and mitosis of epithelial cells, with subsequent deficiency in epithelial repair, stromal and intracellular oedema, loss of microvilli, and abnormal development of the basal lamina. Several recent studies have proposed different therapies based on different aetiopathogenetic theories. The aim of the therapy is to treat aetiopathogenesis and, at the same time, promote corneal healing. In this paper, we report the aetiology, diagnosis, management, and medical and surgical treatment of NK, also indicating future treatments based on the most recent studies.