Advances in treatment for neurotrophic keratopathy.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review the clinical characteristics and possible new mode of treatments for the corneal epithelial disorders associated with neurotrophic keratopathy.

RECENT FINDINGS: The successful clinical applications of eyedrops containing substance P and insulin-like growth factor-1, or peptides derived therefrom, were reported for the treatment of humans with neurotrophic keratopathy.

SUMMARY: Neurotrophic keratopathy, a degenerative disease of the cornea, is caused by an impairment of function of the trigeminal nerve and an insufficient supply of neural factors. The combination of substance P, a sensory neurotransmitter, and insulin-like growth factor-1 induced a synergistic stimulatory effect on corneal epithelial migration as well as on corneal wound closure in vivo. We discuss the roles of growth factors and substance P, a sensory neurotransmitter released from the trigeminal nerve, in corneal epithelial wound healing as well as the clinical application of these molecules to the treatment of neurotrophic keratopathy.