Innovative Therapeutive Options for Preservation of the Corneal Surface

Neurotrophic keratopathy (NK) is a rare and challenging disorder that can be congenital or acquired. It can; result from neurologic disease affecting the fifth cranial nerve, diabetes mellitus, and chronic ocular; surface disease. Therapeutic options include preservative free artificial tears, autologous serum eye drops,; recombinant human nerve growth factor (rhNGF), surgical closure of the eyelid, conjunctival flap or; corneal neurotization (a surgical procedure to restore sensory innervation). Today's discussion will focus; on the newly FDA approved human recombinant nerve growth factor and corneal neurotization.