Exciting newly released study in the Journal of Ophthalmology, one of the top 3 journals in eye surgery: A group from Italy showed positive results in using Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) in patients with neurotrophic keratopathy or corneal neuropathy. NK is thought to occur from trigeminal nerve damage 9ie, trigeminal neuralgia[TGN]) and loss of corneal innervation. NGF is thought to help the healing of the nerve fiber endings to decrease chronic pain in these patients.
NGF is very expensive and not FDA approved yet. A patient tried to buy some in Italy but the cost was in the thousands. Cord blood serum (CBS) also is thought to provide NGF to patients and may be cheaper. CBS is also not FDA approved and needs to be screened for any communicable disease or bacteria. CBS has been used many times for many eye issues with good success: https://drcremers.com/2018/08/cord-blood-drops-for-dry-eye-disease.html
https://drcremers.com/2018/09/positive-result-after-first-case-using.html
CBS is likely an easier local option for patients with NK or TGN for now. We have had one successful case with CBS. We are about to use it on our 2nd. Will keep you up to date on outcomes.
SLC
