Corneal Neurotization—Indications, Surgical Techniques and Outcomes
Diana C. Dragnea, Iva Krolo, Carina Koppen, Callum Faris, Bert Van den Bogerd, Sorcha Ní Dhubhghaill
Abstract
Corneal neurotization is a promising surgical approach for the treatment of moderate to severe neurotrophic keratopathy. This technique aims to restore corneal sensation by transferring healthy nerves, either directly or via a conduit, to the anesthetic cornea. This review provides a report on the current state of development, evidence, and experience in the field. We summarize the data available from clinical reports and case series, placing an emphasis on the diversity of the surgical techniques reported. While these data are encouraging, they also highlight the need for a consensus in reporting outcomes and highlight how the next step will involve validating putative outcome parameters when researching and reporting corneal neurotization surgery.