DefEye Inc. announced in a press release the publication of a peer-reviewed article highlighting the use of Biovance Ocular decellularized basement membrane (DBM) in almost 1,000 patients suffering from neurotrophic keratitis (NK). Titled “Retrospective Evaluation of Successive Biovance Decellularized Basement Membrane Tissue Grafts for the Management of Chronic Subclinical and Stage 1 Neurotrophic Keratitis," the article was authored by Brandon D. Ayres, MD; Nicole R. Fram, MD; Ophthamology Management editor-in-chief Lisa K. Feulner, MD, PhD; Helen K. Wu, MD; and Neel R. Desai, MD. 

Published in Clinical Ophthalmology, the article demonstrated outcomes of serial placement of Biovance Ocular decellularized basement membrane graft in patients with subclinical or Mackie Stage 1 NK.

Among the key highlights from the study, corneal epithelial resolution occurred in all eyes with complete follow-up, functional corneal sensitivity improved in 0.7% of Brill 3, 31.6% of Brill 4, and 77.5% of Brill 5 eyes, and mean DBM utilization increased with disease severity (Brill 3: 3.70; Brill 4: 3.08; Brill 5: 4.30 grafts). Among eyes with abnormal baseline osmolarity, 70% to 82% normalized following treatment. In addition, MMP-9 positivity decreased across all severity groups, with 56% to 66% converting to negative, corresponding with improved ocular surface stability.

“Neurotrophic keratitis is likely more prevalent than we believe. Should we conduct the appropriate corneal sensitivity testing at patient presentation of symptoms, I believe we will uncover more patients for whom we can intervene sooner, particularly with interventional approaches such as decellularized basement membrane,” said Dr. Ayres, in the press release. “With corneal epithelial resolution occurring in all eyes with complete follow-up in this study, and seeing functional corneal sensitivity improvement along with high rates of osmolarity normalization and reduction in MMP-9 positivity, I believe Biovance Ocular decellularized basement membrane products can be a first-line approach to NK, so long as corneal sensitivity has been compromised and documented.”

In addition to the peer-reviewed article, Dr. Ayres will present a poster entitled “Neurotrophic Keratitis Is Likely Underdiagnosed: Evidence From a Large Real-World Cohort” at the upcoming American Academy of Ophthalmology Meeting to be held from October 10 to 12 in New Orleans.