Association of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors with the incidence of corneal diseases in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors revealed the protective function on various systemic diseases. This study aimed to determine whether the usage of SGLT2 inhibitors associates with incidences of superficial keratopathy and infectious keratitis in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. A retrospective cohort study with the usage of National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan was conducted. The T2DM patients were divided into the SGLT2 inhibitors and control groups according to the usage of SGLT2 inhibitors or not. The major outcomes were defined as the occurrence of superficial keratopathy and infectious keratitis. There were 766 and 1037 episodes of superficial keratopathy in the SGLT2 inhibitors and control groups and SGLT2 inhibitors group showed a significantly lower incidence of superficial keratopathy than the control group (aHR: 0.721, 95% CI: 0.656-0.791, P < 0.0001). Also, there were 166 and 251 infectious keratitis events in the SGLT2 inhibitors and control groups and patients in the SGLT2 inhibitors group revealed a significantly lower infectious keratitis incidence than those in the control group (aHR: 0.654, 95% CI: 0.537-0.796, P < 0.0001). In addition, the patients that received SGLT2 inhibitors demonstrated lower cumulative incidences of both superficial keratopathy and infectious keratitis compared to the non-SGLT2 inhibitors users (both P < 0.0001). In conclusion, the usage of SGLT2 inhibitors correlates to lower incidence of superficial keratopathy and infectious keratitis in T2DM individuals, which is more significant in patients with persistent SGLT2 inhibitors application.

Case Report: Vision-Threatening Fungal Keratitis in a Service Member Stationed at Guantanamo Bay.

Fungal keratitis is a major cause of corneal blindness worldwide. Compared to other types of infectious keratitis, fungal keratitis has a relatively poor prognosis because of various factors such as delayed patient presentation and diagnosis. Although associated in earlier studies with poverty and low socioeconomic status, military personnel stationed in tropical and subtropical climates, in low-resource settings, are at risk. Here, we report a case of a 20-year-old active duty contact lens-wearing military service member stationed at Guantanamo Bay who developed a severe vision-threatening fungal keratitis in her left eye. Enhancing health and safety precautions in at-risk settings, maintaining vigilance, and leveraging new imaging modalities will be important to ensure early recognition and treatment.

[Fungal Keratitis Associated with Curvularia lunata: First Case Report from Türkiye]. / Curvularia lunata'ya Bagli Gelisen Fungal Keratit: Türkiye'den Ilk Olgu Raporu.

Fungal keratitis is a medical emergency that is among the most common causes of blindness in developing countries. The type of the agent may vary depending on the geographical conditions under which the patient lives, trauma exposure, the use of contact lenses and profession. Curvularia spp. is a saprophytic genus that rarely causes systemic disease in humans and has 250 species identified to date. They proliferate in soil and plants and spread to the environment with their spores and the formation of blackish and fluffy colonies is its most well-known morphological feature. There may be difficulties in cultivating brown (dematiaceous) fungi. Due to the similarity between the genera, conventional methods remain inadequate for diagnosis. In this report, a case of fungal keratitis associated with C.lunata was presented. Seventy-five years-old female patient admitted to the hospital with the symptoms of stinging pain, blurred vision, and swelling in the right eye. Her symptoms had begun four days ago after her eye was hit by a plant. The patient who had a history of peripheral neuropathy due to diabetes mellitus (DM) was hospitalized with a preliminary diagnosis of keratitis, and in the cultures of the patient's corneal scraping samples, the filamentous, black pigment-forming colonies of the pathogen growing on 5% sheep blood agar and potato dextrose agar showing an aerial hyphal structure, were stained with lactophenol cotton blue and examined under the microscope. The microscopic examination revealed geniculate conidiophores with brown pigmentation. On top of these structures were tetralocular macroconidia, one of which appeared to be larger than the main axis. The fungus was subjected to molecular identification with the prediagnosis of Curvularia/Bipolaris. DNA extraction of the ITS region polymerase chain reaction amplification and Sanger sequencing were performed for molecular identification. Sanger sequencing identified the agent to be Curvularia lunata with a similarity rate of 99.79% (NCBI-GenBank Nucleotide ID: OR365075). In vitro antifungal susceptibility of C.lunata was evaluated by microdilution method. Itraconazole and amphotericin B showed higher activity against C.lunata compared to other antifungals while fluconazole was the least active antifungal. Intrastromal and subconjunctival voriconazole injection was applied to the patient who was unresponsive to empirically initiated oral moxifloxacin and different topical treatments (vancomycin, ceftazidime, flucanozole, ganciclovir, cyclopentolate hydrochloride, hyaluronic acid and trehalose). After injection, right penetrating keratoplasty was applied due to increased thinning of the ulcerated area. No pathogen was detected in cultures taken after keratoplasty. Rare fungi should be considered in cases of keratitis that are difficult to treat. Fungal keratitis caused by brown fungi are clinically similar to each other and effective treatment protocols cannot be implemented without a species identification. Identification of the pathogen will enable genus-specific treatment. This will also help prevent complications that may occur. This article aims to present a case of fungal keratitis associated with C.lunata.

Paediatric Cogan´s syndrome - review of literature, case report and practical approach to diagnosis and management.

BACKGROUND: Cogan´s syndrome is a rare, presumed autoimmune vasculitis of various vessels characterized by interstitial keratitis and vestibular impairment accompanied by sensorineural hearing loss. Due to the rarity of Cogan´s syndrome in children, therapeutic decision making may be challenging. Therefore, a literature search was performed to collect all published paediatric Cogan´s syndrome cases with their clinical characteristics, disease course, treatment modalities used and their outcome. The cohort was supplemented with our own patient. MAIN TEXT: Altogether, 55 paediatric Cogan´s syndrome patients aged median 12 years have been reported so far. These were identified in PubMed with the keywords "Cogan´s syndrome" and "children" or "childhood". All patients suffered from inflammatory ocular and vestibulo-auditory symptoms. In addition, 32/55 (58%) manifested systemic symptoms with musculoskeletal involvement being the most common with a prevalence of 45%, followed by neurological and skin manifestations. Aortitis was detected in 9/55 (16%). Regarding prognosis, remission in ocular symptoms was attained in 69%, whereas only 32% achieved a significant improvement in auditory function. Mortality was 2/55. Our patient was an 8 year old girl who presented with bilateral uveitis and a history of long standing hearing deficit. She also complained of intermittent vertigo, subfebrile temperatures, abdominal pain with diarrhoea, fatigue and recurrent epistaxis. The diagnosis was supported by bilateral labyrinthitis seen on contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. Treatment with topical and systemic steroids was started immediately. As the effect on auditory function was only transient, infliximab was added early in the disease course. This led to a remission of ocular and systemic symptoms and a normalization of hearing in the right ear. Her left ear remained deaf and the girl is currently evaluated for a unilateral cochlear implantation. CONCLUSIONS: This study presents an analysis of the largest cohort of paediatric Cogan´s syndrome patients. Based on the collected data, the first practical guide to a diagnostic work-up and treatment in children with Cogan´s syndrome is provided.

Cogan's syndrome is more than just keratitis: a case-based literature review.

BACKGROUND: Cogan's syndrome (CS) is a rare autoimmune disorder characterized by non-syphilitic interstitial keratitis (IK) and Menière-like cochlear vestibular symptoms, which may also have systemic effects. Corticosteroids are first-line treatment. DMARDs and biologics have been used to treat ocular and systemic symptoms of CS. CASE PRESENTATION: This is a case of a 35-year-old female who reported hearing loss, eye redness and photophobia. Her condition progressed to a sudden sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and constant vertigo accompanied by cephalea. CS was diagnosed after excluding other diseases. The patient still developed bilateral sensorineural hearing loss after receiving hormone, methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, and a variety of biological agents. Joint symptoms were relieved after treatment with a JAK inhibitor (tofacitinib), and hearing did not deteriorate further. CONCLUSIONS: CS should be involved in the differential diagnosis of keratitis. Early identification and intervention of this autoimmune disease can minimize disability and irreversible damage.

A case report of interstitial keratitis and secondary glaucoma after cataract surgery that may be related to late congenital syphilis.

BACKGROUND: The destruction of blood eye barrier and the administration of corticosteroid eyedrops after phacoemulsification surgery can lead to the replication of the local potential pathogens. With the rapid increase and popularization of cataract surgery, all kinds of rare postoperative complications have appeared. Here, we report a case of interstitial keratitis and secondary glaucoma after cataract surgery, which may be related to late congenital syphilis, which eventually led to blindness in the right eye. We hope that the timely report of this case will enable doctors to pay more attention to the possibility of potential pathogen replication after cataract surgery, and enable more patients to receive reasonable and effective treatment. CASE PRESENTATION: A 63-year-old female was referred to our clinic for investigation with a 1-week history of moderate pain in the right eye and ipsilateral headache in January 2020. She had cataract surgery on her right eye two years ago and on her left eye one year ago. The intraocular pressure (IOP) in the right eye was 43.2 mmHg and that in the left eye was 28.5 mmHg. Her right eye underwent medication, trabeculectomy and finally was subjected to ciliary body photocoagulation to control the IOP. The IOP of the left eye was well controlled by regular use of eye drops. In addition to the elevated IOP, the inflammation of the anterior segment and corneal stroma was found. Before cataract surgery, bilateral corneal opacities was revealed, but after cataract surgery, interstitial keratitis in both eyes was gradually aggravated, during the follow-up period from 2019 to 2021. She informed us that she had suffered from decreased vision in both eyes and was diagnosed with bilateral keratitis and congenital syphilis at the age of 20. In 2018, the serologic test for syphilis was positive in blood (Chemiluminescence analysis (CLIA): + ; Toluidine red unheated serum test (TRUST): + , titer was 1:1). However, four tests for TRUST were negative in 2019 and 2020, so she was not treated for syphilis. CONCLUSION: This case of glaucoma and interstitial keratitis might be secondary to ocular inflammation caused by late congenital syphilis. The ocular inflammation and the activation of syphilis may be related to cataract surgery.

Pediatric Phlyctenular Keratoconjunctivitis at a Tertiary Care Center in the United States.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate characteristics and outcomes of pediatric phlyctenulosis at a tertiary care center in the United States. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of phlyctenulosis diagnosis in patients younger than 18 years was conducted. Demographics, presenting features, treatment regimens, and outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Seventy patients (95 eyes) with phlyctenulosis were identified. Fifty-four patients (77.1%) were Hispanic, which was greater than the center's proportion of pediatric patients identifying as Hispanic (53.8%, P < 0.0001). Common comorbidities included adjacent external/lid disease (82.9%), allergic/atopic disease (18.6%), and viral infections (8.6%). Nine patients had tuberculosis testing which was negative in all cases. Five patients had vitamin A testing which revealed deficiency in 1 patient. Treatment regimens were diverse and included varying combinations of topical and systemic medications. Complications included corneal scarring (27.4%), corneal neovascularization (40.0%), amblyopia (16.8%), corneal perforation (3.2%), and severe limbal stem-cell deficiency (1.1%). 26.3% of affected eyes had final visual acuity worse than 20/40. Differences in rates of corneal complications between Hispanic and non-Hispanic patients were not statistically significant, although severe corneal complications including perforation occurred only in the Hispanic group. CONCLUSIONS: This study presents a modern cohort of phlyctenulosis at a tertiary center in the United States and includes a larger proportion of Hispanic patients than expected. Phlyctenulosis carries high corneal morbidity and may frequently result in reduced visual acuity. Similar rates of corneal complications were seen in Hispanic versus non-Hispanic patients, but severe corneal complications were seen only in the Hispanic group.

Bacterial Keratitis: Clinical Features, Causative Organisms, and Outcome During a 13-year Study Period.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to review clinical features, causative organisms, complications, and outcome of bacterial keratitis cases at a tertiary eye hospital. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on clinically diagnosed bacterial keratitis cases from 2007 to 2019. Poor outcome was flagged if any of the following was identified: final visual acuity (VA) worse than 20/200, decrease in VA (1 line or worse compared with presenting VA), corneal perforation, endophthalmitis, failed graft, or cases requiring enucleation or evisceration. RESULTS: The study included 263 cases of bacterial keratitis with 169 cases (64.3%) of culture-positive bacterial keratitis. Gram-positive bacteria were found to be the causative organism in 106 cases (62.8%). The most common types were coagulase-negative staphylococci (23.1%) and Pseudomonas (23.1%). Culture-positive bacterial keratitis was associated with the development of anterior chamber reaction (≥1+) on multivariate analysis [adjusted odds ratio (OR): 3.03, confidence interval (CI): 1.23-7.45, P = 0.016]. The complications that occurred in the current cohort included visually significant scar (64.7%), perforation (10.8%), cataract (8.8%), nonhealing epithelial defects (8.0%), corneal neovascularization (4.9%), endophthalmitis (4.6%), and hypotony (1.5%). On multivariate analysis, diabetes mellitus (adjusted OR: 3.51, CI: 1.59-7.76, P = 0.002), poor presenting best-corrected VA (adjusted OR: 3.95, CI 1.96-7.96, P < 0.001), and positive cultures (adjusted OR: 2.36, CI: 1.11-5.00, P = 0.025) were associated with poor outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Culture-negative keratitis had less severe infection and better outcomes when compared to culture-positive bacterial keratitis. Factors associated with poor outcome included diabetes, poor presenting VA, and positive cultures.

Perforation in interstitial keratitis associated with hidradenitis suppurativa: medical and surgical management.

We present a case of bilateral interstitial keratitis leading to perforation in a woman with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). A woman in her mid-20s with a history of HS and Grave's disease was referred to the corneal service with loss of vision and pain in both eyes since childhood. She was found to have circumferential thinning and steepening affecting her peripheral cornea bilaterally. Corrected distance visual acuity with spectacles was in the right eye 6/7.5, and in the left 6/30, with local thinnest area of 209 and 217 µm in the right and left eyes, respectively. She experienced recurring episodes of redness and irritation, and perforation occurred. The corneal perforation was managed with cyanoacrylate glueing, followed by a local conjunctival flap. Systemic immunosuppression with mycophenolate mofetil and adalimumab was commenced, with improvement after 18 months of treatment. Dermatologists and ophthalmologists should be aware of this association given its potential severity.

Ripasudil Eyedrops Ameliorated Bullous Keratopathy Complicated with Cytomegalovirus Corneal Endotheliitis: A Case Report.

PURPOSE: We describe a case of bullous keratopathy complicated with cytomegalovirus (CMV) corneal endotheliitis that was successfully treated with ripasudil eye drops. METHODS: A retrospective case report. RESULTS: A 65-year-old female patient diagnosed with CMV-associated anterior uveitis in the right eye was referred to us when anterior uveitis recurred with bullous keratopathy. Initial best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.4 (decimal visual acuity). Her condition did not improve with anti-CMV treatment, and BCVA decreased to 0.07. At this point, intraocular pressure (IOP) was 20 mmHg, and ripasudil eye drops were started for IOP control. After 1 month, not only had IOP decreased to 14 mm Hg but the condition of the corneal edema had also improved. The central corneal thickness decreased to a normal level, and the BCVA recovered to 0.8. CONCLUSION: Ripasudil eye drops not only lower IOP in patients with CMV corneal endotheliitis but may also have the potential to treat bullous keratopathy.

Microbial Keratitis in Patients With Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis: Experience From a Tertiary Centre in Taiwan.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical features, causative microorganisms, antibiotic susceptibility, and treatment outcomes in culture-proven microbial keratitis (MK) in patients with Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN) and to analyze the potential risk factors. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of all patients with SJS/TEN who attended our department between 2009 and 2018. Patients with a diagnosis of MK who underwent corneal cultures were enrolled. Demographics; clinical characteristics including ocular findings, treatment, time between onset of SJS/TEN and keratitis; changes in visual acuity; culture results; and antibiotic susceptibility were analyzed. Culture results from prior conjunctival swabs and keratitis were also compared. RESULTS: Sixteen eyes from 12 patients (mean age 40.1 ± 27.7 years) with MK were identified. These patients had the most severe ocular involvement in the acute stage and had more severe ocular complications (SOCs) in the chronic stage compared with patients with SJS/TEN without MK. There were 26 infection episodes during 4.4 ± 6.9 (1.0-25.8) years of follow-up. Oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs accounted for half of the causative drugs. Severe dry eye was the most common predisposing factor, followed by topical steroid use, trichiasis, and lid margin keratinization. Staphylococcus was the most common pathogen, and over half of the gram-positive bacteria were resistant to oxacillin/methicillin. Fungal infections (notably Candida ) accounted for nearly one-third of the causative microorganisms. Culture reports from periodic conjunctival swabs were not consistent with those from corneal scrapings. Recurrence of infection was associated with inferior visual outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with SJS/TEN with SOCs are subject to recurrent corneal infections, which are responsible for deterioration of vision. Identifying the risk factors and aggressive treatment as early as possible is pivotal for infection control.

Case Report: Burkholderia pseudomallei-Caused Sclerokeratitis.

This report is on a 45-year-old male patient without underlying disease who presented with a Burkholderia pseudomallei-caused keratoscleritis in his right eye. Slit-lamp examination revealed multiple, indistinct corneal infiltrations with subconjunctival/scleral abscesses. Corneal tissue culture was positive for B. pseudomallei and confirmed by mass spectrometry. The patient was treated with fortified ceftazidime, fortified gentamicin eyedrops, and intravenous ceftazidime injection. Penetrating keratoplasty, including intracameral ceftazidime injections, was undertaken due to corneal lesion worsening. Scleral debridement with subconjunctival ceftazidime injections were undertaken due to the progression of the scleral abscess. After 2 months, the corneal and scleral lesions were inactive, and the systemic and topical antibiotics were tapered. This is the first case report of B. pseudomallei-caused keratoscleritis with photography. The patient was seen in an endemic geographical area with multiple corneal infiltrations and subconjunctival/scleral abscess. Systemic and topical antibiotics accompanied with surgery should be considered.

The effect of eye care protocol on the prevention of ocular surface disorders in patients admitted to intensive care unit.

Eye care is one of the most critical tasks of intensive care unit (ICU) nurses. Patients in this unit are exposed to potential ocular problems due to critical conditions. This study aimed to establish a new eye care protocol for preventing ocular surface disorders in patients admitted to ICU. This was a clinical trial study performed on patients admitted to ICU in 2019. The data gathering tools included the demographic questionnaire, the Schirmer test for dry eye, fluorescein staining and slit lamp manual for examining corneal ulcers, and slit lamp manual to check keratitis and conjunctivitis. A type of eye care protocol was performed on the patient's eyes. After five consecutive days of executing the protocol, the data were analyzed using SPSS software version 18. The use of eye care protocol reduced the risk of keratitis (P=0.027), conjunctivitis (P=0.012), eye dryness (P=0.001), and corneal ulcer (P=0.003) in patients admitted to ICU in the intervention group compared to the control group. Ophthalmology protocols reduced the incidence of keratitis, conjunctivitis, dry eye, and corneal ulcers in ICU patients. Therefore, using this method in ICU patients can improve nursing care.

Ocular microbiota promotes pathological angiogenesis and inflammation in sterile injury-driven corneal neovascularization.

Microbiota promotes or inhibits the pathogenesis of a range of immune-mediated disorders. Although recent studies have elucidated the role of gut microbiota in ocular disease, the effect of ocular microbiota remains unclear. Herein, we explored the role of ocular commensal bacteria in non-infectious corneal inflammation and angiogenesis in a mouse model of suture-induced corneal neovascularization. Results revealed that the ocular surface harbored a microbial community consisting mainly of Actinobacteria, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria. Elimination of the ocular commensal bacteria by oral broad-spectrum antibiotics or topical fluoroquinolone significantly suppressed corneal inflammation and neovascularization. Disease amelioration was associated with reduced numbers of CD11b+Ly6C+ and CD11b+Ly6G+ myeloid cells, not Foxp3+ regulatory T cells, in the spleen, blood, and draining lymph nodes. Therapeutic concentrations of fluoroquinolone, however, did not directly affect immune cells or vascular endothelial cells. In addition, data from a clinical study showed that antibiotic treatment in combination with corticosteroids, as compared with corticosteroid monotherapy, induced faster remission of corneal inflammation and new vessels in pediatric patients with non-infectious marginal keratitis. Altogether, our findings demonstrate a pathogenic role of ocular microbiota in non-infectious inflammatory disorders leading to sight-threatening corneal neovascularization, and suggest a therapeutic potential of targeting commensal microbes in treating ocular inflammation.

Neurotrophic Keratitis Due to Congenital Corneal Anesthesia with Deafness, Hypotonia, Intellectual Disability, Face Abnormality and Metabolic Disorder: A New Syndrome?

Neurotrophic keratitis is a rare degenerative disease of the cornea that can lead to corneal ulceration, scarring, and significant visual impairment. It most commonly occurs in adults and is rarely diagnosed in children. Congenital corneal anesthesia is an extremely rare condition that requires appropriate ophthalmologists' attention in making diagnosis and treatment decisions. This condition usually presents in infancy or early childhood and is characterized by rare blinking rate, decreased tearing or a corneal ulcer that is unresponsive to treatment. In this case report, we describe a patient with multiple systemic and neurological disorders who presented to the ophthalmology department due to corneal erosion unresponsive to treatment. Brain magnetic resonance imaging confirmed bilateral trigeminal hypoplasia and the diagnosis of neurotrophic keratopathy due to bilateral congenital corneal anesthesia was made. The discrepancy between clinical signs and symptoms or treatment non-response in cases of corneal erosions should alert the ophthalmologists to suspect trigeminal dysfunction. MRI is the gold standard to confirm congenital corneal anesthesia and to differentiate from other possible neurotrophic keratitis causes.

Neurotrophic Keratopathy After Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to describe risk factors for neurotrophic keratopathy (NK) after herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO). METHODS: This study was a retrospective review of all patients seen at the Auckland District Health Board with HZO from 2006 through 2016. Cox proportional hazards analysis was performed to examine time to development of neurotrophic keratitis. RESULTS: Eight hundred sixty-nine patients were included in the study with a median follow-up of 6.3 years (5504.4 patient-years). The median age was 65.5 years (interquartile range 52.9-75.4), and 456 subjects (52.5%) were male. NK developed in 58 patients (6.7%), with the highest hazard 1 to 2 years after onset of HZO. On univariate analysis, age, White ethnicity, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at presentation, intraocular pressure, corneal involvement, uveitis, and number of recurrences were associated with increased risk of NK. On multivariate analysis, the following factors were significant: age (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.03; P = 0.021), White ethnicity (HR = 3.18; P = 0.015), BCVA (HR = 1.81; P = 0.026), uveitis (HR = 3.77; P = 0.001), and recurrence (HR = 1.34; P < 0.001). Vision loss (BCVA ≤6/15) was more frequent in subjects with NK (65.5% vs. 16.3%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: NK is a relatively common and serious complication of HZO and occurs more frequently in older White individuals, those with poor visual acuity at presentation, and those with uveitis. Vision loss occurs in approximately two-thirds of patients.

Blink Reflex in Neurotrophic Keratopathy: An Electrophysiological Evaluation.

PURPOSE: Neurotrophic keratitis (NK) is a rare condition which may result in visual loss. This case review investigates if there may be an association between NK and the blink reflex in the absence of facial nerve palsy and lagophthalmos. METHODS: This is a retrospective case review of 5 patients with trigeminal nerve damage referred to the oculoplastic department with suspected anesthetic corneae. Information on etiology, symptoms, duration, associated medical conditions, medications, examination findings including Mackie stage of keratopathy, management of keratopathy, and blink electrophysiology results was obtained. RESULTS: All 5 patients demonstrated absence of corneal sensation. All patients had preserved facial nerve function with no evidence of lagophthalmos. Keratopathy ranged from Mackie stage 0-2. Management ranged from ocular lubricants to Botulinum-toxin-induced ptosis. Blink studies demonstrated reduction in amplitude as well as increased latency in 2 patients, conferring reduced blink strength. Two patients demonstrated an absent blink reflex on the affected side. One patient had blink latency within the normative range; this patient recovered corneal sensation and was discharged. CONCLUSIONS: Our finding of reduced amplitude in blink studies offers both a factor in pathogenesis of NK and a potential therapeutic target. Additionally, blink studies may provide prognostic information for recovery and therefore guide management. We suggest performing blink electrophysiology in patients with trigeminal nerve damage to assess nerve function.