Prescription and Advanced Care / Neurotrophic
Oxervate for Neurotrophic Keratitis
Neurotrophic keratitis is a rare but serious eye condition that can look like dry eye at first but is really a problem with the nerves of the cornea. Oxervate (cenegermin) is a prescription eye drop designed to support corneal nerve healing in this specific condition. This page explains what neurotrophic keratitis is, how corneal sensitivity testing helps find it, and where to get the right care. Dry Eye Rescue does not sell or prescribe Oxervate.
Key Takeaways
- Neurotrophic keratitis is a rare, serious corneal condition caused by damage to the nerves that supply the cornea, which reduces its sensation and ability to heal.
- It is not ordinary dry eye, even though it can feel similar early on. Because the cornea loses feeling, it can be surprisingly painless while the surface breaks down.
- Corneal sensitivity testing is a key step in finding it, since reduced corneal sensation is the hallmark of the condition.
- Oxervate (cenegermin) is a prescription biologic eye drop, a lab-made form of human nerve growth factor, FDA-approved to treat neurotrophic keratitis and used under the care of an eye doctor.
- Dry Eye Rescue does not sell or prescribe Oxervate. Use the Doctor Locator to find an eye care professional who can evaluate your cornea.
Quick Answer: What is Oxervate?
Oxervate (cenegermin) is a prescription eye drop that is a lab-made version of human nerve growth factor, a protein the body uses to maintain and repair nerves. It is FDA-approved for neurotrophic keratitis, a condition where the cornea loses its nerve supply and its ability to heal itself. Oxervate supports that healing and is used as a defined course under an eye doctor's care. It is included here so you know that advanced options exist when a problem turns out to be a nerve condition rather than ordinary dry eye.
What Neurotrophic Keratitis Is
The cornea, the clear front surface of the eye, is one of the most densely nerved tissues in the body. Those nerves do more than create sensation. They signal the eye to blink, make tears, and repair the surface. In neurotrophic keratitis, those nerves are damaged, so the cornea loses feeling and loses its normal ability to heal. The surface can break down, and in more advanced cases this can progress to ulcers, scarring, and threats to vision. Common causes include herpes-related eye infections, eye or neurological surgery, diabetes, and injuries that affect the nerve supply to the eye.
Because the cornea loses sensation, neurotrophic keratitis can be deceptively painless even as damage builds. That is one reason it can be missed or mistaken for routine dry eye, and why a careful exam matters.
Neurotrophic keratitis develops when damage to the nerves that supply the cornea reduces its sensation and its ability to heal, which can lead to breakdown of the corneal surface. Source: U.S. FDA materials for OXERVATE and ophthalmology references.
How It Is Found: Corneal Sensitivity Testing
Because reduced corneal sensation is the hallmark of neurotrophic keratitis, measuring that sensation is a central part of diagnosing and staging it. Corneal sensitivity testing checks how well the surface of the eye registers a light stimulus, which helps a doctor tell a nerve problem apart from ordinary dryness and judge how advanced it is. If your symptoms do not fit a typical dry eye picture, or do not improve with standard care, this kind of testing can be an important next step. You can learn more about how it works on our corneal sensitivity testing page.
How Oxervate Works
Oxervate's active ingredient, cenegermin, is a recombinant human nerve growth factor, meaning it is a lab-made copy of a natural protein the body uses to support nerve cells. Delivered as an eye drop, it works to support the corneal nerves and the healing of the corneal surface. It was the first topical biologic medicine approved in eye care, a notable step because it targets the underlying nerve problem in neurotrophic keratitis rather than only managing symptoms.
Oxervate (cenegermin) is a lab-made form of human nerve growth factor and was the first topical biologic approved in eye care, indicated for neurotrophic keratitis. Source: U.S. FDA prescribing information for OXERVATE.
Oxervate at a Glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Cenegermin, a recombinant human nerve growth factor |
| Type | Prescription biologic eye drop |
| FDA-approved use | Neurotrophic keratitis |
| Typical course | One drop in the affected eye six times a day, about every two hours, for eight weeks |
| Managed by | An eye doctor, with specific handling and storage instructions |
What Treatment Involves
Oxervate is used as a structured eight-week course, with drops given several times a day at set intervals, and it comes with specific handling and storage steps your care team will walk you through. In its clinical trials, more patients treated with Oxervate reached complete corneal healing than those who received an inactive comparison. Because neurotrophic keratitis is serious and the treatment is detailed, it is diagnosed and managed by an eye doctor who monitors your progress. Your doctor and the prescribing information are the right sources for full details on use and safety.
In its clinical trials, more patients treated with Oxervate achieved complete corneal healing at eight weeks than those on an inactive comparison, and the drop is used six times a day for eight weeks. Source: U.S. FDA prescribing information for OXERVATE.
Dry Eye Rescue Tip
If your eyes look irritated or your vision is changing but they do not feel as uncomfortable as you would expect, mention that to your eye doctor. Reduced sensation is exactly what can happen in a nerve condition like neurotrophic keratitis, and it is easy to brush off because it does not hurt the way ordinary dry eye does. Symptoms that do not match the discomfort, or that do not improve with standard dry eye care, are worth a closer look.
Find an Eye Doctor Near You
Neurotrophic keratitis needs a real diagnosis and ongoing care. Dry Eye Rescue works with a network of over 5,000 eye care professionals. Use the Doctor Locator to find one near you, or take the DryEye Q assessment to prepare for your visit.
Important Disclaimer
This page is educational and does not replace medical advice from your eye care professional or healthcare provider. It does not recommend any specific prescription medication. Dry Eye Rescue does not sell, dispense, or prescribe Oxervate or any prescription treatment. Neurotrophic keratitis is a serious condition that should be diagnosed and managed by a licensed eye doctor, and decisions about any medication should be made only with that doctor after an examination. Descriptions reflect FDA-approved labeling at the time of writing and may change; always refer to the current prescribing information and your doctor's guidance. OXERVATE and Dompe are trademarks of their respective owners.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is neurotrophic keratitis?
It is a rare, serious corneal condition in which damage to the nerves that supply the cornea reduces its sensation and its ability to heal. The corneal surface can break down, and in advanced cases this can threaten vision.
Is neurotrophic keratitis the same as dry eye?
No. It can feel similar at first, but it is a nerve problem rather than a tear problem. A key difference is that the cornea can lose feeling, so the condition may be surprisingly painless even as damage builds.
What is Oxervate?
Oxervate (cenegermin) is a prescription eye drop and a lab-made form of human nerve growth factor. It is FDA-approved to treat neurotrophic keratitis and supports healing of the corneal surface.
How is neurotrophic keratitis diagnosed?
An eye doctor examines the cornea and checks its sensation, since reduced corneal sensitivity is the hallmark of the condition. Corneal sensitivity testing helps tell a nerve problem apart from ordinary dryness and judge how advanced it is.
How is Oxervate used?
It is given as a structured course, one drop in the affected eye six times a day at set intervals for eight weeks, with specific handling steps. Because the condition is serious, it is managed by an eye doctor who monitors your progress.
Can children use Oxervate?
Oxervate has been used in children as well as adults for neurotrophic keratitis. As with any prescription, the decision and supervision come from the treating eye doctor.
Does Oxervate work?
In its clinical trials, more patients treated with Oxervate reached complete corneal healing than those given an inactive comparison. Results vary by person and severity, which is why ongoing eye care matters.
Do I need a prescription for Oxervate?
Yes. Oxervate requires a prescription and ongoing eye care. Dry Eye Rescue does not sell or prescribe it. We can help you find an eye care professional in our network who can evaluate your cornea.
How do I find a doctor for this?
Use the Dry Eye Rescue Doctor Locator to find an eye care professional near you from our network of over 5,000 providers. If your symptoms do not fit ordinary dry eye, ask whether corneal sensitivity testing is appropriate.
Get the Right Diagnosis
If your symptoms do not fit ordinary dry eye, a closer look can make the difference. Find an eye care professional near you, learn about corneal sensitivity testing, or see all prescription options.
