Corneal nerves

Corneal nerves are the dense network of sensory fibers, primarily derived from the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve, that provide the cornea with its extreme sensitivity (Mastropasqua et al., 2017). These nerves are essential for maintaining the ocular surface's physiological health by mediating the blink reflex, regulating tear production, and releasing trophic factors like substance P that promote epithelial cell proliferation and wound healing (Müller et al., 2003). In conditions such as neurotrophic keratitis, diabetes, or following viral infections, the loss of these nerves leads to corneal anesthesia, epithelial breakdown, and persistent ulcers (Bonini et al., 2018). While "Corneal nerves" refers to an anatomical structure rather than a single molecule, they are the functional focus of therapies like Cenegermin, a recombinant human nerve growth factor that binds to TrkA and p75NTR receptors on the nerves to stimulate regeneration (Lambiase et al., 2012). Clinical assessment of these nerves is often performed using in vivo confocal microscopy to measure parameters like corneal nerve fiber density, which serves as a biomarker for disease severity and treatment response (Cruzat et al., 2017). Restoring corneal innervation is a primary therapeutic goal to prevent vision loss and maintain the structural integrity of the eye.

Other names

Corneal nerve plexusSubbasal nerve plexusCorneal innervationTrigeminal corneal fibers

Promotion of corneal nerve regeneration and epithelial maintenance through the activation of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) receptors, specifically TrkA and p75NTR, located on the nerve terminals.