Cenegermin for neurotrophic keratopathy: a small case series

Session Details

Session Title: Presented Poster Session: Spotlight on Cornea

Venue: Poster Village: Pod 2

First Author: : E.Sarnicola ITALY

Co Author(s): :    R. Protti   C. Panico                    

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To report our experience of human recombinant nerve growth factor (rhNGF) eye drops for the treatment of neurotrophic keratopathy (NK).

Setting:

Prospective, non-comparative, interventional small case series at the Turin Eye Hospital (Italy).

Methods:

Four eyes of 4 patients with moderate to severe neurotrophic keratopathy were treated with topical rhNGF 6 drops per day for 8 weeks: 2 eyes were unresponsive to other medical therapy, 1 eye was unresponsive even to blepharorrhaphy, and 1 eye was unresponsive to blepharorrhaphy and amniotic membrane transplantation. Main outcomes investigated included ulcer healing, corneal sensitivity, initial and final best corrected visual acuity, side effects, and relapse of the disease in the follow-up period.

Results:

All patients had a complete resolution of the persistent epithelial defect/ulcer within 6 weeks of treatment with rhNGF. Three patients showed improved corneal sensitivity and two patients had improved visual acuity. Only one patient complained mild and tolerable eye burning from the 5th to the 8th week of treatment. No relapse of the disease was observed during the follow-up period (6 months). NK etiology included diabetes, multiple surgeries, HSV, and peripheral alcohol injections for trigeminal neuralgia.

Conclusions:

Nerve growth factor eye drops improved corneal epithelial healing in eye affected by neurotrophic keratopathy, even in cases unresponsive to blepharorrhaphy (performed alone or along with amniotic membrane transplantation).

Financial Disclosure:

None