Neurotrophic Keratitis Treatment

Name: Neurotrophic Keratitis
Brand: Eye Surgeons of Indiana
Rating: 5 (4602 reviews)

Experience compassionate, advanced care for an uncommon but serious corneal disease affecting your eye’s ability to heal and protect itself.

Protecting Your Eyes With Precision

At Eye Surgeons of Indiana, we provide expert diagnosis and treatment for neurotrophic keratitis (NK), a rare condition that requires highly specialized care. Our cornea specialists are experienced in both early and advanced-stage NK and are dedicated to preserving your vision, protecting your cornea, and restoring comfort and clarity whenever possible.

What Is Neurotrophic Keratitis?

Neurotrophic keratitis is a degenerative corneal disease caused by damage to the nerves that provide sensation to the eye. These nerves play a vital role in corneal health. They trigger blinking, stimulate tear production, and activate the cornea’s built-in healing responses.

When these nerves are injured or stop functioning:

The cornea becomes numb
The eye produces fewer tears
Healing slows dramatically
Even minor irritation can progress into serious corneal damage

Without proper treatment, NK can lead to scarring, infection, thinning, or even loss of the cornea. Early diagnosis and long-term care are essential.

Why Choose Eye Surgeons of Indiana?

Treating neurotrophic keratitis requires experience, patience, and careful management. Our cornea specialists offer:

Expertise in Rare and Complex Corneal Conditions

NK is uncommon, and many eye clinics do not see it regularly. Our physicians routinely treat NK cases at all stages, from mild disease to severe, vision-threatening ulceration.

Access to Advanced Therapies

We offer modern, evidence-based treatments including biologic medications, amniotic membrane therapy, specialized eye drops, and surgical protection of the cornea when needed.

Comprehensive Diagnostics

We assess the entire surface of the eye, corneal sensitivity, tear film stability, and nerve function to understand your disease thoroughly.

Long-Term Follow-Up and Support

NK requires ongoing attention. We partner with you to monitor healing, prevent complications, and protect your sight for the long run.

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What Causes Neurotrophic Keratitis?

NK develops when the corneal nerves are damaged. Common causes include:

Herpes simplex or herpes zoster (shingles) eye infection
Diabetes, which can damage nerves throughout the body
Long-term contact lens wear
Eye surgery, including corneal transplants, LASIK, or retinal surgery
Chemical or thermal eye burns
Neurological conditions, such as trigeminal neuralgia, which affects the facial nerves
Tumors or injuries affecting the trigeminal nerve, which is responsible for facial sensation

Sometimes the cause is unknown. No matter the source, the result is the same: the cornea loses its natural ability to feel and heal.

Stages of Neurotrophic Keratitis

NK is classified into three stages:

Stage 1 (Early Disease)

Dryness
Mild surface changes
Recurrent irritation that the patient may not feel

Stage 2 (Moderate Disease)

Persistent epithelial defects (open areas on the cornea that fail to heal)
Increasing risk of ulcer formation

Stage 3 (Severe Disease)

Corneal ulcer
Thinning or melting
Possible perforation (a hole in the cornea)

Because NK often does not cause pain, many patients don’t realize the severity of their condition until vision becomes impaired. That’s why routine monitoring with a cornea specialist is vital.

Treatment Options for Neurotrophic Keratitis

NK treatment focuses on healing the cornea and protecting it from further damage. Your plan will depend on the severity of your situation. Below are the treatment approaches we use:

Medication-Based Treatments

Artificial Tears and Lubricating Ointments

Preservative-free tears and gels help protect the cornea from dryness and friction.

Biologic Eye Drops

New, revolutionary medications containing nerve growth factor can help regenerate damaged nerves and promote corneal healing over time.

Serum Tears

Made from the patient’s own blood serum, these drops contain natural healing factors that benefit advanced NK.

I am happy with my care. They are compassionate, knowledgeable and caring.

L.J.

Professional & friendly all the way from  check-in to surgeon. Best run office I’ve ever been to. Surgery & sight as promised.

Anne H.

Had a visit with Dr. Morrow today and he was very thorough and helpful. I’d recommend this establishment to anyone.

Aron J.

Very efficient. Wait time limited and they  got me in quickly. Went above and beyond to make sure I was attended to.

MJ K.

Very good experience. The best part was meeting the team everyone was so friendly. And I like the Dr I had. He was very thorough.

Delores B.

I am thrilled with the level of service that  I have received. All staff members have been excellent to work with.

Clay O.

Protective Therapies

Therapeutic Contact Lenses

Specialty bandage lenses shield the cornea and reduce mechanical irritation, giving the tissue a chance to heal.

Amniotic Membrane Grafts

These biologic grafts promote rapid healing and reduce inflammation, especially in Stage 2 and Stage 3 diseases.

Surgical Interventions

Some patients require procedures to protect the cornea while deeper healing occurs.

Tarsorrhaphy (Partial Eyelid Closure)

The eyelids are partially closed temporarily to protect the cornea. This can be lifesaving for the eye in severe disease.

Corneal Transplant (In Rare Cases)

If scarring or perforation occurs, a transplant may be needed. We do everything possible to avoid this when treating NK.

Expected Recovery and Healing Timeline

Healing from neurotrophic keratitis varies widely. Because the underlying issue is nerve damage, recovery often happens slowly and requires long-term care.

Most patients notice improvements over weeks to months, depending on treatment type. If using biologic medications such as the growth factor Cenegermin, nerve regeneration can continue for months after the treatment course ends.

Your Eye Surgeons of Indiana physician will closely monitor:

Corneal healing
Tear film stability
Risk of infection
Vision changes
Return of sensation (if possible)

Patience and follow-up are essential components of successful outcomes.

Importance of Long-Term Management

Even once the cornea has healed, NK can recur because the underlying nerve damage may be permanent. Long-term monitoring helps prevent:

Recurrent ulcers
Scarring
Corneal thinning
Vision loss

We schedule regular follow-ups and adjust treatments as needed to keep your cornea protected.

Am I a Candidate for Neurotrophic Keratitis Treatment?

You may need NK treatment if you have:

Chronic corneal dryness that doesn’t improve
A corneal defect that won’t heal
Vision changes after eye surgery or infection
Reduced corneal sensation (your doctor can test this)
History of shingles or herpes eye disease
Diabetes with nerve complications

Early treatment prevents complications and preserves sight.

Neurotrophic Keratitis Frequently Asked Questions

Is neurotrophic keratitis painful?

Surprisingly, no. Because the cornea loses sensation, essentially going numb, advanced disease may cause less pain, making diagnosis tricky.

Can the corneal nerves heal?

Sometimes. Medications like nerve growth factor drops may help regenerate nerves, but healing varies by patient.

Will neurotrophic keratitis return?

It can. Long-term follow-up is essential to prevent future damage.

Can I wear contact lenses again?

Most patients with NK should avoid regular contact lens wear. Special therapeutic lenses may be used for treatment, not daily vision correction.

Is NK curable?

It is manageable, but often lifelong. The goal is to prevent damage and preserve vision through protective long-term care.