Patients with neurotrophic keratitis demonstrate alterations in ocular surface expression of transient receptor potential (TRP) channels

Neurotrophic keratopathy (NK), a rare corneal disease caused by trigeminal nerve damage, leads to impaired corneal sensitivity, blinking and tear reflexes, and corneal epithelium breakdown with poor healing, which may progress to corneal ulcer, melting and perforation. Recent studies have highlighted the key role of transient receptor potential (TRP) channels in cellular and molecular changes within primary sensory neurons underlying nociception, wound healing, dry eye, scarring, and immune response in the cornea.