Neurotrophic Keratopathy In A Tertiary Care Eye Center: Etiologies, Clinical Insights, And Risk Factors For Surgical Intervention.
Published 2026 - 44th Congress of the ESCRS
Reference: POCOR569 | Type: Free paper | DOI: 10.82333/15wt-yq88
Authors: Dr Guillermo Raúl Raúl Vera Duarte* 1 , Dr Gustavo Ortiz-Morales 1 , Dr Andrea V. Xolalpa-Peniche 1 , Dr José Gerardo Serrano-Robles 1 , A/Prof. Nicolas Kahuam-López 1 , A/Prof. Arturo Ramirez-Miranda 1 , Dr Enrique O. Graue-Hernandez 1 , A/Prof. Alejandro Navas 1
1Cornea and Refractive Surgery,Instituto de Oftalmologia Fundacion Conde de Valenciana IAP,Mexico City,Mexico
Purpose
To characterize the etiology, clinical features, management strategies, and visual outcomes of patients diagnosed with neurotrophic keratopathy (NK) in a tertiary eye care center in Mexico.
Setting
Instituto de Oftalmologia Fundacion Conde de Valenciana IAP, Mexico City, Mexico.
Methods
Retrospective analysis of medical records. Demographics, comorbidities, etiology, presenting symptoms, visual acuity, management, complications, and surgical interventions were collected from patients with NK. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify associations between comorbidities or etiologies and the necessity for surgical intervention.
Results
A total of 219 patients were included (mean age: 58.5 ± 18.2 years; 50.7% female). The most common etiologies of NK were herpes simplex virus keratitis (41.6%), bacterial keratitis (21.5%), chronic ocular surface disease (19.6%), and facial paralysis (8.7%). Surgical intervention was required in 32.9% of cases, most frequently for persistent epithelial defects, corneal thinning, or perforation. Multivariate logistic regression identified autoimmune disease (OR = 3.90; 95% CI: 1.34–11.29; p = 0.012) and facial paralysis (OR = 7.96; 95% CI: 2.20–28.74; p = 0.002) as significant risk factors for surgery.
Conclusions
NK remains a challenging disease with diverse etiologies and clinical presentations. Neurotrophic keratitis secondary to autoimmune disease and facial paralysis was associated with an increased likelihood of requiring surgical intervention.