Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2017 Aug;12(8):1220-1224.
doi: 10.4103/1673-5374.213534.

Neurotrophic factors and corneal nerve regeneration

Marta Sacchetti  1 , Alessandro Lambiase  1
Affiliations
Review

Neurotrophic factors and corneal nerve regeneration

Marta Sacchetti et al. Neural Regen Res. 2017 Aug.

Abstract

The cornea has unique features that make it a useful model for regenerative medicine studies. It is an avascular, transparent, densely innervated tissue and any pathological changes can be easily detected by slit lamp examination. Corneal sensitivity is provided by the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve that elicits protective reflexes such as blinking and tearing and exerts trophic support by releasing neuromediators and growth factors. Corneal nerves are easily evaluated for both function and morphology using standard instruments such as corneal esthesiometer and in vivo confocal microscope. All local and systemic conditions that are associated with damage of the trigeminal nerve cause the development of neurotrophic keratitis, a rare degenerative disease. Neurotrophic keratitis is characterized by impairment of corneal sensitivity associated with development of persistent epithelial defects that may progress to corneal ulcer, melting and perforation. Current neurotrophic keratitis treatments aim at supporting corneal healing and preventing progression of corneal damage. Novel compounds able to stimulate corneal nerve recovery are in advanced development stage. Among them, nerve growth factor eye drops showed to be safe and effective in stimulating corneal healing and improving corneal sensitivity in patients with neurotrophic keratitis. Neurotrophic keratitis represents an useful model to evaluate in clinical practice novel neuro-regenerative drugs.

Keywords: corneal sensitivity; nerve growth factor; nerve regeneration; neurotrophic keratitis.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
A cornea of a healthy eye observed by slit lamp exam with frontal and longitudinal (insert) view. (A) In vivo confocal microscopy imaging shows the normal superficial corneal epithelium (B), sub-basal plexus (C), anterior stroma (D) and endothelium (E).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Neurotrophic corneal ulcer (A) associated with impaired corneal innervation as demonstrated by decreased nerve density and increased tortuosity (B) at in vivo confocal microscopy imaging.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. 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. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2012;53:8181–8185. - PubMed
    1. Alino AM, Perry HD, Kanellopoulos AJ, Donnenfeld ED, Rahn EK. Conjunctival flaps. Ophthalmology. 1998;105:1120–1123. - PubMed
    1. Arvola RP, Robciuc A, Holopainen JM. Matrix regeneration therapy: a case series of corneal neurotrophic ulcers. Cornea. 2016;35:451–455. - PubMed
    1. Belmonte C, Aracil A, Acosta MC, Luna C, Gallar J. Nerves and sensations from the eye surface. Ocul Surf. 2004;2:248–253. - PubMed
    1. Bonini S, Lambiase A, Rama P, Caprioglio G, Aloe L. Topical treatment with nerve growth factor for neurotrophic keratitis. Ophthalmology. 2000;107:1347–1351. discussion 1351-1342. - PubMed