Understanding Neuropathic Corneal Pain—Gaps and Current Therapeutic Approaches

ABSTRACT

The richly innervated corneal tissue is one of the most powerful pain generators in the body. Corneal neuropathic pain results from dysfunctional nerves causing perceptions such as burning, stinging, eye-ache, and pain. Various inflammatory diseases, neurological diseases, and surgical interventions can be the underlying cause of corneal neuropathic pain. Recent efforts have been made by the scientific community to elucidate the pathophysiology and neurobiology of pain resulting from initially protective physiological reflexes, to a more persistent chronic state. The goal of this clinical review is to briefly summarize the pathophysiology of neuropathic corneal pain, describe how to systematically approach the diagnosis of these patients, and finally summarizing our experience with current therapeutic approaches for the treatment of corneal neuropathic pain.

• Autologous serum drops
• corneal neural anatomy
• corneal pain
• dry eye
• in vivo confocal microscopy
• neuropathic pain

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

FUNDING

This study was supported by NIH R01-EY022695 (PH), Research to Prevent Blindness Career Development Award (PH), and Falk Medical Research Trust (PH). The funding organizations had no role in the design or conduct of this research.