Dr.SMRUTI REKHA PRIYADARSHINI

, Dr. RATH SURYASNATA, Dr. MURALEEDHARA R.

Abstract

Neurotrophic keratopathy (NK) is a degenerative corneal disorder caused by diminished trigeminal innervation. It can lead to epithelial breakdown, healing difficulties causing ulceration, melting, and perforation. NK could be a sequel to head injuries, brain tumors, trigeminal analgesia, or Herpes infection. A 38-year-old lady with recurrent pain episodes and redness in her right eye for the past 13 years. She had a neurotrophic cornea following a varicella infection in the past. We performed corneal neurotization (CN) using the indirect approach involving an intermediary nerve graft (sural nerve) to connect the donor sensory nerve and innervate the diseased cornea. Postoperatively, at 30 months follow-up, her ocular surface has stabilized and the density of corneal scarring reduced . Her vision improved from CFCF to CF 1mt and she has started to appreciate the instillation of eyedrops into her right eye. CN surgery is now considered as a treatment of choice in neurotrophic cornea