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More Than Nerves: Rethinking NK Pathology

Are neurotrophic keratitis and limbal stem cell deficiency more pathologically linked than previously assumed?

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  • February 24, 2026

  • 4 min

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Neurotrophic keratitis (NK) is traditionally understood as a condition resulting from corneal nerve damage leading to epithelial deterioration. However, a recent study from the Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University reveals that limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) is not solely a consequence of NK, but rather part of a complex interplay that includes immune dysregulation and nerve loss. Utilizing in vivo confocal microscopy, researchers found significant nerve loss, nearly 50% reduction in limbal epithelial stem cells, and increased immune cell activation. Importantly, these changes correlate with symptom severity and imply a need for broader therapeutic strategies that focus on both nervous and stem cell health.

Original Source(s)

More Than Nerves: Rethinking NK Pathology

Are neurotrophic keratitis and limbal stem cell deficiency more pathologically linked than previously assumed?

  • February 24, 2026

  • 4 min

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