Co-existence of Neurotrophic Keratopathy in Eyes With Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency.

PURPOSE

To investigate whether neurotrophic keratopathy is present in limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD), by measuring corneal sensation and characterizing corneal subbasal nerve plexus.

DESIGN

Prospective, cross-sectional, case-control comparative study.

METHODS

A total of 46 eyes with LSCD and 14 normal eyes were recruited from 2019 to 2022. Corneal sensation was measured using a Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer, and subbasal nerve plexus was imaged using in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) at the central cornea and 4 limbal regions. Subbasal nerve density (SND, number of nerves/mm), subbasal nerve length (SNL, total length of nerves/mm) and subbasal nerve branch density (SNBD, number of branches/mm) were quantified. LSCD was graded to stage 1, 2, and 3 using a previously established staging method consisting of clinical scores, basal cell density, central corneal epithelial thickness, and SNL.

RESULTS

The mean (±SD) cornea sensation in the central cornea and limbus were 29.2 ± 21.5 and 33.6 ± 15.1 mm in the LSCD group and 57.6 ± 5.8 and 54.3 ± 4.7 mm in the control group, respectively (all P < .001). In sectoral LSCD, the corneal sensation in the affected regions (29.1 ± 17.6 mm) decreased significantly compared to the unaffected regions (41.4 ± 18.2 mm, P < .001). Central corneal SND, SNL, and SNBD were reduced by 84.6%, 82.6%, and 89.2%, respectively, in LSCD compared to controls (all P < 0.05). The central corneal sensation negatively correlated with the severity of LSCD (rho = -0.64, P < .0001) and positively correlated with SND, SNL, and SNBD (rho = 0.63, 0.66, and 0.56, respectively; all P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Corneal sensation was reduced in eyes with LSCD. The degree of corneal sensation reduction positively correlated with the severity of LSCD. This finding demonstrated the coexistence of neurotropic keratopathy in LSCD.