Ocular Surface Profiles Differ in Neurotrophic Keratitis, Researchers Say

Eyes with NK demonstrated differences in tear stability, blink rate and gland dropout in a recent study comparing three eyes with NK to 101 without the condition. Assessing these metrics through multimodal imaging may help differentiate NK from other keratitis etiologies. Photo: Megan Mannen, OD. Click image to enlarge. New research presented last week at ARVO 2026 in Denver suggests that multimodal imaging may help distinguish neurotrophic keratitis (NK) from other keratitis etiologies. Using this technology to document tear film behavior, meibomian gland structure and blink metrics may add objective information to standard corneal sensitivity testing and clinical examination, the authors argue.In the study, 104 eyes were imaged with the OmniCAD imaging platform (Lumibird Medical), which performs meibography and tear film assessment. Variables measured included lipid layer score, lipid layer thickness, non-invasive tear breakup time (NIBUT), tear meniscus height, average tear stability, meibomian gland dropout, blink frequency and incomplete blink percentage. Three patients had NK.Compared to eyes without NK, those with the condition had a higher lipid layer score (4.0 vs 3.62) and longer NIBUT values (5.23 s vs. 3.32 s). NK eyes also showed greater meibomian gland dropout (32.3% vs. 19.0%) and had a higher blink rate per minute (40.4 vs. 32.9). Longer tear stability was observed in the NK group (8.93 s vs. 4.56 s), along with a greater tear meniscus height (0.27mm vs. 0.25mm).“In this dataset, NK eyes showed a different tear film and blink profile, including higher NIBUT values, more gland dropout and a higher blink rate,” the authors summarized in their ARVO abstract. “These descriptive patterns indicate that multimodal imaging may help highlight features linked to neurotrophic disease” they concluded, while pointing out that “larger studies will be needed to determine whether these differences can assist in distinguishing NK from other keratitis presentations.”Original abstract ©2026 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.Click here for the source. Cable C, Toyos MM, Wolthers L. Tear film and meibomian gland profiles in neurotrophic and non-neurotrophic keratitis: an OmniCAD imaging study. ARVO 2026 annual meeting. This article was developed by the editorial staff in conjunction with experts in the field. In the process, AI may have been among the editorial tools used to meet the goals of human editors, who approved all content.