Current and Emerging Therapeutic Strategies for the Management of Neurotrophic Keratitis

Neurotrophic keratitis is a rare eye condition characterised by reduced or absent corneal sensation. This leads to impaired corneal healing through a loss of protective mechanisms such as blinking. The cornea becomes vulnerable to persistent epithelial defects, ulceration, infection and ultimately, vision loss or loss of the eye. Treatment strategies aim to protect the corneal surface and promote re-epithelialisation. Established treatments include specialised eye drops such as blood serum eye drops and topical nerve growth factor. In some cases, surgical interventions or procedures such as amniotic membrane transplantation or corneal neurotisation may be necessary. Emerging therapeutic drug options include insulin drops, BRM424, CSB-001 and varenicline. The aim of this Current Opinion is to introduce and review this field for the general reader, paying particular attention to emerging drug therapies for neurotrophic keratitis.