Vitamin abnormalities in neuropathic corneal pain

TL;DR

This review explores how vitamins B3, B12, and D may help treat neuropathic corneal pain by reducing inflammation and nerve dysfunction.

Contribution

The paper highlights the underexplored therapeutic potential of specific vitamins for managing neuropathic corneal pain.

Findings

Vitamins B3, B12, and D show promise in alleviating NCP through anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective mechanisms.

Preclinical and clinical evidence supports the role of these vitamins in modulating oxidative stress and neuroinflammation.

Future research is needed to determine optimal dosing and administration methods for vitamin-based NCP treatment.

Abstract

Neuropathic corneal pain (NCP) refers to spontaneous corneal pain in the absence of stimuli arising from corneal nerve dysfunction with no clinically observable ocular surface abnormalities. It is debilitating with difficult-to-manage symptoms—burning pain, photophobia, and irritation being profound. However, evidence-based clinical recommendations for the management of NCP remain scarce. Given the established role of vitamins in various neuropathies and associations between vitamin deficiencies and NCP in the literature, vitamin supplementation represents a potential therapeutic avenue that has yet to be adequately investigated in the context of NCP. This narrative review provides an overview of the therapeutic potential of vitamins B3, B12 and D as treatment in NCP, drawing evidence from both preclinical animal and clinical studies. It discusses the potential mechanisms of action rendered by various vitamins in alleviating NCP and includes the suppression of inflammation, neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, as well as the modulation of neurodegeneration and nociception dysregulation. Furthermore, we offer insight on future directions needed for vitamin supplementation to serve as mainstream treatment for NCP. Future research should also aim to establish optimal treatment protocols, including dosing regimens, treatment duration and administration methods for each vitamin.

Figures