When it comes to protecting your eyes, early diagnosis and treatment of serious conditions are key to preserving long-term vision. Neurotrophic keratitis is a rare degenerative disease that can silently compromise the health of your cornea. Left untreated, it can lead to painful complications and even permanent vision loss. At Gregor Eye Care, Dr. Leslie Gregor is proud to offer advanced treatment for patients facing this complex eye disease.

What Is Neurotrophic Keratitis?

Neurotrophic keratitis is a degenerative condition that affects the cornea due to a loss of corneal sensation. This typically results from damage to the trigeminal nerve, which is responsible for sending sensory signals from the eye to the brain. Without this nerve function, the cornea loses its ability to detect injury or irritation and becomes more vulnerable to damage. As a result, the eye’s natural healing response is impaired, leading to persistent dryness, epithelial breakdown, corneal ulcers, and in severe cases, scarring and vision impairment. Because the condition is rare and its symptoms can be subtle in the early stages, timely diagnosis and specialized care are critical.
 

How Oxervate Supports Healing and Protects the Cornea

Oxervate is a prescription eye drop designed specifically to treat neurotrophic keratitis. Its active ingredient, cenegermin, is a synthetic version of human nerve growth factor. This substance plays a key role in regenerating damaged corneal nerves and promoting the repair of the corneal surface.
 

What sets Oxervate apart from other treatments is its ability to target the underlying cause of neurotrophic keratitis rather than just relieving symptoms. It stimulates both nerve healing and the regeneration of corneal cells, helping to restore a healthier eye surface and reduce the risk of serious complications.
 

How the Treatment Is Used

Oxervate is typically prescribed for six weeks and is applied as one drop in the affected eye six times per day. Though this may seem like a frequent dosage, consistency is crucial for healing. Many patients begin to see noticeable improvements within just a few weeks of starting treatment.
 

Benefits of Oxervate for Neurotrophic Keratitis

• Regenerates and restores corneal nerves

• Improves the eye’s ability to heal

• Reduces the risk of corneal ulcers and scarring

• Helps relieve discomfort from persistent dryness

• Supports long-term vision preservation
   

Oxervate has shown remarkable success in helping patients recover from corneal damage and reduce their risk of vision loss, especially in cases where other treatments have not been effective.
 

Who Can Benefit from Oxervate?

Oxervate may be recommended for patients with mild to severe neurotrophic keratitis. If you’ve had a corneal injury that is not healing, experience ongoing eye discomfort, or have a history of conditions that affect the trigeminal nerve, a full evaluation by Dr. Gregor can help determine whether this treatment is right for you.
 

Protecting Your Vision Starts Here

Neurotrophic keratitis is a serious condition, but with the right diagnosis and treatment plan, you can prevent long-term corneal damage and safeguard your vision. Dr. Gregor offers compassionate, cutting-edge care to support your eye health every step of the way.
 

If you’ve been diagnosed with neurotrophic keratitis or are experiencing symptoms of chronic eye irritation or poor corneal healing, contact Gregor Eye Care to learn if Oxervate is the right treatment for you. Visit our office in Overland Park, Kansas, or call (913) 685-0212 to schedule an appointment today.