Corneal Neurotization Shows Promising Results for Patients With Neurotrophic Keratopathy

Corneal neurotization—an emerging surgical technique and treatment for moderate-to-severe neurotrophic keratopathy—has shown favorable outcomes for visual rehabilitation in patients with neurotrophic keratopathy, according to a retrospective case series.

Researchers sought to determine the outcomes for both direct and indirect methods of corneal neurotization. The main outcomes of the study were a change in corneal sensitivity, visual acuity, and corneal health. For their study, researchers identified 16 patients across five centers in Australia and Israel who underwent corneal neurotization for neurotrophic keratopathy.

The mean follow-up period was 31.3 months and over that time, mean corneal sensitivity in patients improved from 3.6 mm (range: 0 to 25 mm) to 25.3 mm (range: 0 to 57 mm). Visual acuity improved on average from 20/380 to 20/260. Of the 16 patients, 12 patients (75.0%) improved in at least two out of the three main outcomes of the study. Nine (56.3%) out of the total patients showed an improvement in visual acuity. Further, 13 (81.3%) showed an improvement in average corneal sensitivity; and 11 (68.8%) showed an improvement in corneal health. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications.

“Corneal neurotization is an emerging surgical treatment option for the management of neurotrophic keratopathy,” the researchers concluded. “With appropriate case selection, outcomes are favorable and complication rates are low, for a condition that is otherwise challenging to manage. Patients with severe neurotrophic keratopathy should be considered for this surgical treatment option.”

Reference:

Aujla J, Tong, J, Curragh D, et al. Corneal neurotization for neurtrophic keratopathy: a multicentre experience. Ophalmic Plast Reconstr Surg. Published online April 11, 2024. doi:10.1097/IOP.0000000000002684