Neurotrophic Keratitis: Mastering Early Detection and Treatment

1.25CME

1.00COPE

75MINS

Overview

Provider Statement

This continuing education activity is provided by

Support Statement

This activity is supported by an educational grant from Dompé US, Inc.

Activity Description

Neurotrophic keratitis (NK) is a rare, degenerative corneal disease caused by damage to the trigeminal nerve, resulting in reduced or absent corneal sensation and impaired epithelial healing. It can be triggered by ocular surgery as well as various conditions, such as herpetic infections, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and chronic use of topical medications. Neurotrophic keratitis is often underdiagnosed due to its subtle early symptoms and challenging diagnostic criteria, although early detection is critical to prevent progression and vision loss. Traditionally classified into 3 stages, a newer 6-step staging system now enables more precise identification of early disease and appropriate intervention. Treatment is based on stage and may include topical recombinant human nerve growth factor (cenegermin), autologous serum drops, and procedural or surgical interventions depending on severity. Early diagnosis and management by an informed, interprofessional team can significantly improve outcomes and preserve vision. In this text-based CE activity, expert faculty review the risk factors for NK, assess diagnostic approaches for early-stage detection, including corneal sensitivity testing, and evaluate appropriate selection of treatment based on NK stage and the latest clinical evidence.

Target Audience

The intended audience for this activity is ophthalmologists and optometrists involved in the management of patients with NK.

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of this activity, participants should be better able to:

Consider the risk factors for NK when assessing patients.
Incorporate the latest diagnostic approaches, including preoperative considerations for early-stage detection of NK.
Employ corneal sensitivity testing to aid in the timely diagnosis of NK.
Select appropriate treatments for patients with NK based on the stage of disease and latest clinical evidence.

Activity Chair

Fasika A. Woreta, MD, MPH
Eugene de Juan, M.D. Professor of Ophthalmic Education
Associate Professor of Ophthalmology
Vice Chair of Education
Director, Eye Trauma Center
Wilmer Eye Institute
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Baltimore, MD

Faculty

Christina R. Prescott, MD, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Ophthalmology
NYU Grossman School of Medicine
Chief, Division of Cornea Services, Department of Ophthalmology
Director, Ophthalmology Residency Program
Vice Chair, Education Department of Ophthalmology
NYU Langone Health
New York, NY

Medical Writer

Valerie Zimmerman, PhD

Planners/Reviewers

Ronald A. Codario, MD, EMBA, FACP, FNLA, RPVI, CHCP
Mary Beth Yackey, OD

Accreditation

ACCME Jointly accredited In support of improving patient care, Vindico Medical Education is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team. This activity will also award credit for optometry (COPE) if the requirements necessary for credit are met.

Credit Designation

Vindico Medical Education designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Vindico Medical Education designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 1.0 COPE credit hours. Optometrists should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

COPE Course Number: 101568-TD
COPE Activity Number: 131886

This enduring material is approved for 1 year from the date of original release, November 15, 2025, to November 14, 2026.

How to Participate in This Activity and Obtain CE Credit

To participate in this activity, you must read the objectives, answer the polling and pretest questions, view the content, and complete the posttest and evaluation. Provide only one (1) correct answer for each question. A satisfactory score is defined as answering 7 of the 10 posttest questions correctly. If a satisfactory score on the posttest is achieved, Vindico Medical Education will issue an AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™ certificate or COPE CE certificate.

In addition to providing a downloadable certificate, CME Providers accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) have the ability to transmit CME credit data for all US physicians to an online repository, the ACCME Program and Activity Reporting System (PARS). CME credit data submitted to PARS can be viewed, managed, and tracked by US physicians in "CME Passport," a free, centralized web application. US Physicians who opt-in by providing their medical license number, state of licensure, and date of birth will have their credits automatically reported to the ACCME.

Disclosures

Vindico Medical Education adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Individuals in a position to control the content of a continuing education activity, including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others, are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.

Relationship information is accurate at the time of content development.

The articles in this monograph were composed by medical writer Valerie Zimmerman, PhD, based on the presentations of Drs. Prescott and Woreta during a live satellite symposium held at WIO 2025 on Friday, August 8, 2025. The monograph has been approved by each of the faculty individually as an accurate representation of their presentations.

Activity Chair and Faculty report the following relevant financial relationship(s)

Christina R. Prescott, MD, PhD
No relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Fasika A. Woreta, MD, MPH
No relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Medical Writer reports the following relevant financial relationship(s)

Valerie Zimmerman, PhD
No relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Planners/Reviewers report the following relevant financial relationship(s)

Ronald A. Codario, MD, EMBA, FACP, FNLA, RPVI, CHCP
No relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Mary Beth Yackey, OD
No relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Vindico Medical Education staff report the following relevant financial relationship(s)

No relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Signed disclosures are on file at Vindico Medical Education, Office of Medical Affairs and Compliance.

Unlabeled and Investigational Usage

The audience is advised that this continuing education activity may contain references to unlabeled uses of FDA-approved products or to products not approved by the FDA for use in the United States. The faculty members have been made aware of their obligation to disclose such usage. All activity participants will be informed if any speakers/authors intend to discuss either non–FDA-approved or investigational use of products/devices.

Copyright Statement

Created and published by Vindico Medical Education, 6900 Grove Road, Building 100, Thorofare, NJ 08086-9447. Telephone: 856-994-9400; Fax: 856-384-6680. Printed in the USA. Copyright © 2025 Vindico Medical Education. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. The material presented at or in any Vindico Medical Education continuing education activity does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Vindico Medical Education. Neither Vindico Medical Education nor the faculty endorse or recommend any techniques, commercial products, or manufacturers. The faculty/authors may discuss the use of materials and/or products that have not yet been approved by the FDA. All readers and continuing education participants should verify all information before treating patients or utilizing any product.

Procedures for Reporting Copyright Infringement

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Vindico Medical Education, LLC
Attn: Faith Bantivoglio
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or call: 856-994-9400, ext. 614