Long-term restoration of corneal sensitivity in neurotrophic keratopathy after rhNGF treatment

Abstract

Background: To report the long-term effects of the new rhNGF treatment on corneal sensitivity in patients with Cases presentation: We present three cases of corneal ulcers due to NK that were treated with rhNGF. In each patient wound healing evolution was documented by clinical pictures and corneal sensitivity measured by Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometry. Best corrected visual acuity and Type I Schirmer test were also assessed neurotrophic keratopathy. All patients healed within 8 weeks and NK showed no recurrences in the mean follow-up period of 35 weeks. Each subject showed a significant increase of corneal sensitivity and tear secretion, with concomitant improvement in visual acuity. Conclusion: Corneal sensitivity, measured by Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometer, markedly increased in all eyes. Further studies are warranted to demonstrate a possible mechanism of nerve restoration with rhNGF treatment.