Neurotrophic Keratitis

From EyeWiki
Article initiated by:
Alessandro.Rabiolo, Giulio Ferrari, Paolo Rama
All authors and contributors:
Vatinee Y. Bunya, MD, MSCE, Maria A. Woodward, MD, Alessandro.Rabiolo, Michael T Yen, MD, Gustavo Ortiz-Morales, MD, Sezen Karakus, MD, Mariana Nadais Aidar, Cat Nguyen Burkat, MD FACS
Assigned editor:
Sezen Karakus, MD
Review:
Assigned status Update Pending
 by Sezen Karakus, MD on October 30, 2022.


Disease Entity

Neurotrophic keratitis, neurotrophic keratopathy (NK)

Disease

Neurotrophic Keratitis (NK) is a corneal degenerative disease characterized by a reduction or absence of corneal sensitivity. In NK, corneal innervation by the trigeminal nerve is impaired. Partial or complete loss of corneal sensation may result in epithelial keratopathy, epithelial defect, stromal ulceration, and eventually corneal perforation.

Epidemiology

The epidemiology of NK is still uncertain. As a rare disease, its estimated prevalence is less than 50/100,000 individuals.[1]

Etiology

Every ocular or systemic condition altering corneal sensory innervation—which runs from the cornea itself to the pontine trigeminal nucleus—can result in NK.

  • Most common ocular conditions associated with NK are herpes keratitis (zoster and simplex), topical anesthetic abuse, chemical and physical burns, contact lens abuse, topical drug toxicity, irradiation to eye or adnexa, and corneal surgery.
  • Chronic use of topical medications containing benzalkonium chloride (BAK) may reduce corneal sensation via nerve damage and impair corneal epithelial healing.[2]
  • With regards to corneal procedures, both corneal refractive procedures, laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), have been linked to NK.[3] [4][5]The incidence of transient nerve damage, however, seems to be significantly higher in LASIK than in PRK.[6] Corneal transplantation surgery, and specifically penetrating keratoplasty (PK) and deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK), can result in reduced central corneal sensitivity 12 months after either surgical approach.[7] Endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK or DMEK) does not significantly affect central corneal sensitivity, and thus, may not be associated with NK.[8] A reduction of corneal sensation was also observed in keratoconus eyes following collagen crosslinking.[9]
  • Non-corneal ocular surgeries or procedures can also induce NK. Vitrectomy for retinal detachment and photocoagulation to treat diabetic retinopathy have been associated with development or worsening of NK.[10] Routine, single session, indirect laser for proliferative diabetic retinopathy has been reported as a possible cause of NK via damaging ciliary nerves.[11]
  • Non-ocular causes include neurosurgical procedures or trauma damaging the fifth cranial nerve, stroke, aneurysms, multiple sclerosis, intracranial masses (e.g. acoustic neuroma), diabetes (NK has been described as the sole sign of diabetes in a patient),[12] leprosy, vitamin A deficiency, and drugs (narcoleptics and antipsychotics). Congenital hypoplasia of the trigeminal nerve has also been described in association with NK.[13]

Risk Factors

Risk factors for NK are those related to the underlying etiology.

General Pathology

A number of histological alterations are seen in corneas of patients with NK, including thinning/disruption of the epithelial layer, cytoplasmic swelling of epithelial cells, loss of microvilli, disorganization of Bowman’s membrane, stromal melting/scarring, and corneal neovascularization. The conjunctiva is also involved with a reduction in goblet cell density and in cell-surface microplicae. Evidence in animal models suggests that NK may also affect corneal neovascularization[14] and stem cell populations.[15]

Diagnosis

Figure ilustrating NK stage II from a patient with orbital apex syndrome due to a maxillary sinus tumor - Instituto de Assistência Médica ao Servidor Público Estadual (IAMSPE), São Paulo - Brasil.

History

Medical and surgical history should be accurately reviewed, with special stress on ocular and systemic conditions discussed in the Etiology section.

Symptoms

Since corneal sensory innervation is impaired in NK, patients do not commonly complain of ocular surface symptoms. This makes NK particularly challenging, as patients may seek medical advice months or years after the disease has started. Sometimes, however, blurred vision can be reported due to punctate keratopathy, irregular epithelium or epithelial defects, scarring, or edema.

Physical Examination

Clinical presentation of NK ranges from subtle corneal surface irregularities to corneal melting and perforation. NK is usually graded in three different stages according to the “Mackie classification”.[16]

  • Stage I is characterized by epithelial irregularity most commonly in the form of punctate keratopathy without epithelial defect.
  • Stage II is defined by recurrent or persistent epithelial defects (PED) without stromal involvement. The PED is usually oval in shape and its margins are characteristically smooth and rolled due to impaired epithelial healing. Descemet's folds and anterior chamber inflammation may be observed.
  • Stage III is characterized by stromal involvement leading to corneal ulcer, melting, and perforation.
  • Stages of Neurotrophic Keratitis

  • Stage 1 Neurotrophic Keratitis (Courtesy of Mina Massaro-Giordano, MD)

  • Stage 2 Neurotrophic Keratitis (Courtesy of Mina Massaro-Giordano, MD)

  • Stage 3 Neurotrophic Keratitis (Courtesy of Stephen Orlin, MD)

Diagnostic Procedures

  • Eyelids should be assessed to detect any closure abnormality, such as lagophthalmos, ectropion, and lid scarring. Additionally, the blink rate should be assessed as it is usually reduced in NK.
  • Corneal sensitivity should be evaluated using a cotton swab or quantitatively determined with a corneal aesthesiometer (e.g. Cochet-Bonnet contact aesthesiometer, CRCERT-Belmonte non-contact aesthesiometer).[17] It should be noted that any eye drops should be applied AFTER having tested corneal sensitivity as they could otherwise alter this measurement.
  • Corneal staining with fluorescein is performed in order to highlight corneal epithelial changes. Other vital dyes (i.e. lissamine green or rose bengal) can be used to evaluate corneal/conjunctival integrity. These vital dyes can also be used to evaluate tear meniscus height and tear break-up time.
  • Schirmer test is performed to evaluate tear production, which can be impaired as a result of a reduction in corneal sensitivity.
  • Slit-lamp exam may reveal features that can be associated with underlying disease. Corneal scarring and neovascularization along with sectoral iris atrophy may suggest herpetic eye disease.
  • Fundus exam may reveal diabetic retinopathy and/or pan-retinal photocoagulation scars that may be associated with NK.
  • In vivo confocal microscopy can be used to visualize the affected structure of the sub-basal nerves.

Differential Diagnosis

The finding of severe corneal staining or epithelial defect in absence of ocular discomfort symptoms (due to corneal anesthesia) is highly suspicious of NK. However, dry eye, topical drug toxicity, exposure keratitis, contact lens-related disorders, chemical injury, and limbal stem cell deficiency may also be associated with some degree of corneal anesthesia but may remain as separate entities until the corneal sensation is affected. The fact that active herpetic corneal disease also reduces corneal sensitivity should be kept in mind since pure NK is sterile. Acanthamoeba keratitis often causes intense ocular pain, but it should be noted that it can also be associated with some degree of corneal anesthesia.[18]

Management

General Management

The management of NK aims to promote corneal healing and avoid complications. Patients with NK should use preservative-free eye medications, as epithelial drug toxicity could complicate the disease. Ocular surface diseases other than/associated with NK (i.e. dye eye, blepharitis, exposure keratitis, limbal stem cell deficiency) should be properly treated. Topical NSAIDs should be avoided in patients with NK because they did not show any benefit in healing and they can further decrease corneal sensitivity.[19]

Therapy of NK depends on the disease stage.

  • Stage I: The therapeutic goal is to improve the quality and transparency of epithelium and to avoid epithelial breakdown. At this stage, frequent application of preservative-free artificial tear eye drops and lubricant ointments is suggested. Punctal occlusion may be beneficial at this stage. In cases of persistent keratopathy, autologous serum tears could be considered. Also, therapeutic soft contact lens application could improve the quality of vision in some cases. In cases with no response using these therapeutic options, recombinant human nerve growth factor (rhNGF) drops[20] [21]and a self-retaining cryopreserved amniotic membrane (PROKERA®, Bio-Tissue, Miami, FL) can be considered for this stage.
  • Stage II: The aim of the therapy is to promote PED healing and prevent the development of a corneal ulcer. Treatment includes (i) the use of unpreserved artificial tears, lubricant ointments, (ii) therapeutic soft contact lenses or patching, (iii) topical autologous serum application,[22][23] (iv) amniotic membrane grafting either in-office using a self-retaining cryopreserved amniotic membrane (PROKERA®, Bio-Tissue, Miami, FL) or in the operating room,[23] (v) tarsorrhaphy or botulinum induced ptosis, and (vi) topical recombinant human nerve growth factor treatment. Antibiotic eye drops can be prescribed to prevent bacterial infections.[1] Topical corticosteroids can be administered to control inflammation cautiously, as they could induce stromal melting.[24]
  • Stage III: The therapy focuses on ulcer healing and prevention of corneal perforation. In addition to the therapy suggested for stages I and II, N-acetylcysteine, oral tetracycline, and medroxyprogesterone can be prescribed in case of stromal melting. Vitamin C supplementation can be helpful to prevent collagen degradation.


Insulin. Topical insulin at a concentration of 1UI/ml have shown to be effective in refractory persistent epithelial defects. Diaz-Valle et al. [25] prepared the insulin formulation diluting human inyectable insulin at a concentration of 100 UI/ ml on a ethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol base. Of note, the final insulin preparation was stored on an amber glass eye drop bottle. Of the 21 patients included for study, 17 patients (81%) had re-epithelized and 4 (19%) had a marked reduction on the epithelial defect size. The insulin preparation was administered 4 times a day and in the patients with full re-epithelization the mean time until reepithelization was 34.8±29.9days (median 23; range 7–114).

Cenegermin (Oxervate™) that contains recombinant human nerve growth factor (rhNGF) is the first approved topical medication for NK for the treatment of neurotrophic keratitis in the United States on August 22, 2018, and for the treatment of moderate to severe neurotrophic keratitis in the European Union on July 20, 2017. [26][27][28] Two randomized clinical trials demonstrated that a greater proportion of patients with stage II or III NK achieved complete corneal healing with topical cenegermin treatment compared to vehicle. [29][30] Recent clinical trials are studying the safety and efficacy of cenegermin in stage I NK (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04485546). In a small size case series, the use of cenegermin was found effective and well-tolerated when used in patients with stage I NK. [20][21]

ReGeneraTing Agent (RGTA) - matrix therapy agent (Cacicol®) administered topically is also suggested to promote and speed up corneal healing in patients with NK based on observational, non-controlled clinical studies.[31] [32]Currently, Cacicol matrix therapy is available only in Europe.

Finally, if corneal perforation occurs, the treatment varies. In case of small size of perforation, the application of cyanoacrylate glue and soft bandage contact lens or amniotic membrane is performed. In case of a larger defect, a tectonic penetrating or lamellar keratoplasty can be performed.

Surgical Management

In recent years, Corneal neurotization has become an increasingly explored topic in the management of neurotrophic keratitis. Neurotization of the cornea typically transfers the supraorbital or supratrochlear nerve either directly or indirectly with a nerve graft (i.e. sural nerve) to the neurotrophic cornea. Neurotization and nerve reconstruction are well established for use in the reinnervation of peripheral nerve injuries.[33] Corneal neurotization was first investigated in 2009[34] with promising results and prompted many studies to further examine this procedure.

Results thus far reveal neurotization leads to improvement in corneal sensation, improvement in visual acuity, and reduction of symptoms for months to years after surgery.[35][34][36][37][38][39][40] It is worth noting that neurotization of the cornea is an extensive surgery that requires a high level of experience shared between Neurosurgery, Cornea, and Oculoplastics.

Follow-up

The follow-up of NK depends on the disease stage. Patients with stage I disease should be closely monitored due to the risk of asymptomatic disease progression. In stages II and III, patients should be evaluated more frequently, ideally every 1-2 days, until the risk of perforation is reduced and improvement occurs.[41]

Prognosis

Prognosis of patients affected by NK depends on disease stage, degree of anesthesia, and association with other ocular surface diseases. The surgical outcome of keratoplasty in patients affected by NK is generally poor due to impairment in wound healing and the risk of PED recurrence.

Additional Resources

  1. AAO, Basic and Clinical Science Course. Section 8: External Disease and Cornea, 2019-2020.
  2. AAO, Focal Points: Neurotrophic Keratitis, Module #2, 2003.
  3. AAO, Focal Points: Persistent Epithelial Defects, 2016.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sacchetti M, Lambiase A. Diagnosis and management of neurotrophic keratitis. Clinical ophthalmology 2014;8:571-9.
  2. ↑ Labbe A, Alalwani H, Van Went C, Brasnu E, Georgescu D, Baudouin C. The relationship between subbasal nerve morphology and corneal sensation in ocular surface disease. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2012;53(8):4926-31.
  3. ↑ Kauffmann T, Bodanowitz S, Hesse L, Kroll P. Corneal reinnervation after photorefractive keratectomy and laser in situ keratomileusis: an in vivo study with a confocal videomicroscope. German journal of ophthalmology 1996;5:508-12.
  4. ↑ Wilson SE. Laser in situ keratomileusis-induced (presumed) neurotrophic epitheliopathy. Ophthalmology 2001;108:1082-7.
  5. ↑ Wilson SE, Ambrosio R. Laser in situ keratomileusis-induced neurotrophic epitheliopathy. American journal of ophthalmology 2001;132:405-6.
  6. ↑ Netto MV, Mohan RR, Ambrosio R, Jr., Hutcheon AE, Zieske JD, Wilson SE. Wound healing in the cornea: a review of refractive surgery complications and new prospects for therapy. Cornea 2005;24:509-22.
  7. ↑ Lin X, Xu B, Sun Y, Zhong J, Huang W, Yuan J. Comparison of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty and penetrating keratoplasty with respect to postoperative corneal sensitivity and tear film function. Graefe's archive for clinical and experimental ophthalmology = Albrecht von Graefes Archiv fur klinische und experimentelle Ophthalmologie 2014;252:1779-87.
  8. ↑ Kumar RL, Koenig SB, Covert DJ. Corneal sensation after descemet stripping and automated endothelial keratoplasty. Cornea 2010;29:13-8.
  9. ↑ Wasilewski D, Mello GH, Moreira H. Impact of collagen crosslinking on corneal sensitivity in keratoconus patients. Cornea 2013;32:899-902.
  10. ↑ Banerjee PJ, Chandra A, Sullivan PM, Charteris DG. Neurotrophic corneal ulceration after retinal detachment surgery with retinectomy and endolaser: a case series. JAMA ophthalmology 2014;132:750-2.
  11. ↑ Tinley CG, Gray RH. Routine, single session, indirect laser for proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Eye 2009;23:1819-23.
  12. ↑ Lockwood A, Hope-Ross M, Chell P. Neurotrophic keratopathy and diabetes mellitus. Eye 2006;20:837-9.
  13. ↑ Morishige N, Morita Y, Yamada N, Nishida T, Sonoda KH. Congenital hypoplastic trigeminal nerve revealed by manifestation of corneal disorders likely caused by neural factor deficiency. Case reports in ophthalmology 2014;5:181-5.
  14. ↑ Ferrari G, Hajrasouliha AR, Sadrai Z, Ueno H, Chauhan SK, Dana R. Nerves and neovessels inhibit each other in the cornea. Investigative ophthalmology & visual science 2013;54:813-20.
  15. ↑ Ueno H, Ferrari G, Hattori T, et al. Dependence of corneal stem/progenitor cells on ocular surface innervation. Investigative ophthalmology & visual science 2012;53:867-72
  16. ↑ Mackie IA. Neuroparalytic keratitis. In: Fraunfelder F, Roy FH, Meyer SM, eds. Current Ocular Therapy. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders; 1995:452-4.
  17. ↑ Golebiowski B, Papas E, Stapleton F. Assessing the sensory function of the ocular surface: implications of the use of a non-contact air jet aesthesiometer versus the Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometer. Experimental eye research 2011;92:408-13.
  18. ↑ Dart JK, Saw VP, Kilvington S. Acanthamoeba keratitis: diagnosis and treatment update 2009. American journal of ophthalmology 2009;148:487-99 e2.
  19. ↑ Hersh PS, Rice BA, Baer JC, et al. Topical nonsteroidal agents and corneal wound healing. Archives of ophthalmology 1990;108:577-83.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Saricay LY, Bayraktutar B, Lilley J, Massaro-Giordano M, Hamrah P; Efficacy and Tolerability of Cenegermin for Stage 1 Neurotrophic Keratopathy. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2020;61(7):374. (ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract)
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Dai X, Zhu, X, Karakus S. Topical Recombinant Human Nerve Growth Factor for Management of Refractory Epithelial Keratopathy. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-1852250/v1
  22. ↑ Jeng BH, Dupps WJ, Jr. Autologous serum 50% eyedrops in the treatment of persistent corneal epithelial defects. Cornea 2009;28:1104-8
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 Turkoglu E, Celik E, Alagoz G. A comparison of the efficacy of autologous serum eye drops with amniotic membrane transplantation in neurotrophic keratitis. Seminars in ophthalmology 2014;29:119-26.
  24. ↑ Bonini S, Rama P, Olzi D, Lambiase A. Neurotrophic keratitis. Eye 2003;17:989-95.
  25. ↑ Diaz-Valle D, Burgos-Blasco B, Gegundez-Fernandez JA, Garcia-Caride S, Puebla-Garcia V, Peña-Urbina P, Benitez-del-Castillo JM. Topical insulin for refractory persistent corneal epithelial defects. European Journal of Ophthalmology. 2021 Sep;31(5):2280-6.
  26. ↑ Bonini S, Lambiase A, Rama P, Caprioglio G, Aloe L. Topical treatment with nerve growth factor for neurotrophic keratitis. Ophthalmology 2000;107:1347-51; discussion 51-2.
  27. ↑ Lambiase A, Bonini S, Aloe L, Rama P, Bonini S. Anti-inflammatory and healing properties of nerve growth factor in immune corneal ulcers with stromal melting. Archives of ophthalmology 2000;118:1446-9.
  28. ↑ Lambiase A, Rama P, Bonini S, Caprioglio G, Aloe L. Topical treatment with nerve growth factor for corneal neurotrophic ulcers. The New England journal of medicine 1998;338:1174-80.
  29. ↑ Bonini S, Lambiase A, Rama P, et al. Phase II randomized, double-masked, vehicle-controlled trial of recombinant human nerve growth factor for neurotrophic keratitis. Ophthalmol. 2018;125(9):1332–433.
  30. ↑ Pflugfelder SC, Massaro-Giordano M, Perez VL, et al. Topical recombinant human nerve growth factor (cenegermin) for neurotrophic keratopathy: a multicenter randomized vehicle-controlled pivotal trial. Ophthalmol. 2020;127(1):14–6.
  31. ↑ Aifa A, Gueudry J, Portmann A, Delcampe A, Muraine M. Topical treatment with a new matrix therapy agent (RGTA) for the treatment of corneal neurotrophic ulcers. Investigative ophthalmology & visual science 2012;53:8181-5.
  32. ↑ Guerra M, Marques S, Gil JQ, et al. Neurotrophic keratopathy: therapeutic approach using a novel matrix regenerating agent. J Ocul Pharmacol Ther. 2017;33:662–669.
  33. ↑ Beris A, Gkiatas I, Gelalis I, Papadopoulos D, Kostas-Agnantis I. Current concepts in peripheral nerve surgery. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol. 2019 Feb;29(2):263-269.
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 Terzis JK, Dryer MM, Bodner BI. Corneal neurotization: a novel solution to neurotrophic keratopathy. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2009 Jan;123(1):112-20.
  35. ↑ Leyngold IM, Yen MT, Tian J, Leyngold MM, Vora GK, Weller C. Minimally Invasive Corneal Neurotization With Acellular Nerve Allograft: Surgical Technique and Clinical Outcomes. Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg. 2019 Mar/Apr;35(2):133-140. doi: 10.1097/IOP.0000000000001181. PMID: 30059392.
  36. ↑ Ting DSJ, Figueiredo GS, Henein C, et al. Corneal neurotization for neurotrophic keratopathy: clinical outcomes and in vivo confocal microscopic and histopathological findings. Cornea 2018; 37:641–646.
  37. ↑ Jacinto F, Espana E, Padilla M, et al. Ipsilateral supraorbital nerve transfer in a case of recalcitrant neurotrophic keratopathy with an intact ipsilateral frontal nerve: a novel surgical technique. Am J Ophthalmol Case Rep 2016; 4:14–17.
  38. ↑ Leyngold I, Weller C, Leyngold M, Tabor M. Endoscopic corneal neurotization: technique and initial experience. Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg 2018; 34:82–85.
  39. ↑ Elbaz U, Bains R, Zuker RM, et al. Restoration of corneal sensation with regional nerve transfers and nerve grafts. JAMA Ophthalmol 2014; 132:1289.
  40. ↑ Catapano J, Fung SSM, Halliday W, Jobst C, Cheyne D, Ho ES, Zuker RM, Borschel GH, Ali A. Treatment of neurotrophic keratopathy with minimally invasive corneal neurotisation: long-term clinical outcomes and evidence of corneal reinnervation. Br J Ophthalmol. 2019 Dec;103(12):1724-1731.
  41. ↑ Semeraro F, Forbice E, Romano V, et al. Neurotrophic keratitis. Ophthalmologica Journal international d'ophtalmologie International journal of ophthalmology Zeitschrift fur Augenheilkunde 2014;231:191-7.
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