Pediatric Use of Recombinant Human Nerve Growth Factor 20 g/mL Eye Drops (Cenegermin) for Bilateral Neurotrophic Keratopathy in Congenital Corneal Anesthesia

Purpose: This study aimed to present the efficacy and safety of cenegermin eye drop (Oxervate; Dompè Farmaceutici, Milan, Italy) treatment in a pediatric patient affected by neurotrophic keratopathy (NK) with Goldenhar syndrome. Methods: This case reports an infant presenting ulceration and a small central opacity in the cornea of the right and left eyes, respectively. The NK bilaterally worsened despite the use of therapeutic contact lenses and temporary partial tarsorrhaphy. Magnetic resonance imaging showed absence and hypoplasia of the right and left trigeminal nerves, respectively. Cenegermin eye drops were administered 1 drop/each eye, 6 times daily for 8 weeks to promote corneal healing. Results: Complete healing was achieved in both eyes after treatment. During the 16-month follow-up period, no epithelial defect, recurrence, or complications were noticed, whereas corneal opacities progressively became clearer, although insignificant improvements in corneal sensitivity or in the reflex tearing were observed. Conclusions: Cenegermin was effective in treating NK in an infant with Goldenhar syndrome.