论文部分内容阅读
The cea has unique features that make it a useful model for regenerative medicine studies. It is an avas-cular, transparent, densely innervated tissue and any pathological changes can be easily detected by slit lamp examination. Ceal sensitivity is provided by the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve that elicits protective reflexes such as blinking and tearing and exerts trophic support by releasing neurome-diators and growth factors. Ceal nerves are easily evaluated for both function and morphology using standard instruments such as ceal esthesiometer and in vivo confocal microscope. All local and systemic conditions that are associated with damage of the trigeminal nerve cause the development of neurotrophic keratitis, a rare degenerative disease. Neurotrophic keratitis is characterized by impairment of ceal sensi-tivity associated with development of persistent epithelial defects that may progress to ceal ulcer, melting and perforation. Current neurotrophic keratitis treatments aim at supporting ceal healing and preventing progression of ceal damage. Novel compounds able to stimulate ceal nerve recovery are in advanced development stage. Among them, nerve growth factor eye drops showed to be safe and effective in stimulat-ing ceal healing and improving ceal sensitivity in patients with neurotrophic keratitis. Neurotrophic keratitis represents an useful model to evaluate in clinical practice novel neuro-regenerative drugs.