Managing Patients With Neurotrophic Keratitis (NK)

Patient Education & Cases

* Principles * Case #1 * Case #2 Key Concepts: * Patient education about the disease and its natural history if left untreated is important * Interprofessional, multidisciplinary care is associated with the best patient outcomes

Treatment

* Team-based care * Treatment * General care * Prevention * Symptomatic treatment * Cenegermin * Safety, efficacy, role in treatment/patient selection * Cost * Storage and administration * Corneal neurotization * Investigational therapies Key Concepts: * Most patients should receive basic preventive and symptomatic care, as well as active treatment in certain cases * Cenegermin promotes corneal healing and is the only medication approved for the treatment of patients with neurotrophic keratitis

Screening & Diagnosis

* Clinical manifestations * Screening * Tools to test corneal sensitivity * Diagnostic algorithm * Disease staging * Considerations for referral Key Concepts:  * Patients who are candidates for screening include those with a variety of genetic, system, central nervous system, or ocular diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer’s disease, or who us contact lenses or eyedrops with preservatives * Corneal sensitivity can be tested various ways and is critical to make the diagnosis * Cenegermin is self-administered and requires the patient be thoroughly educated regarding storage, handling, and administration

Overview

* Definition * Epidemiology * Natural history * Patient burden