[Treatment of neurotrophic keratopathy in combined lesions of the trigeminal and facial nerves].

Ocular symptomatology in lesions of the facial nerve is associated with disturbed innervation of the circular muscle of the eye that leads to disruption of the protective function of the eyelids and the development of exposure symptoms, and is accompanied by a breach in corneal tear film integrity. The main clinical manifestation of the trigeminal nerve damage is the loss of sensory innervation of the cornea and disruption of the supply of neurotransmitters to its cells, manifesting as corneal hypo- or anesthesia. This triggers a cascade of pathological processes that lead to the development of neurotrophic keratopathy. In combined pathology of the facial and trigeminal nerves, a number of interrelated and mutually aggravating problems arise that require correction of lagophthalmos and functional restoration of the trigeminal nerve, since there is an interaction between the corneal epithelium and trigeminal neurons through trophic neuromodulators, which normally contribute to the proliferation of epithelial cells, their differentiation, migration and adhesion, and are essential for vital functions, metabolism and healing of surface lesions of the eye. Classical methods of treating neurotrophic keratopathy aim to protect the ocular surface, and are palliative or auxiliary, do not provide radical relief of the symptoms of neurotrophic keratopathy. Modern surgical technique of neurotization of the cornea allows restoring the structural growth of the nerve, which provides nerve trophism and corneal sensitivity, and is the only pathogenetically substantiated method of effective treatment of neurotrophic keratopathy. At the same time, direct neurotization has undeniable advantages over methods involving intercalary donor nerves, since neuropeptides from nerve fibers are immediately released into the recipient tissue and start reparative processes. Taking into account the accumulated positive experience of neurotization surgeries, scientific and clinical research should be continued in order to improve the most effective methods of corneal neurotization and promote their wider implementation into clinical practice.