ESCRS - PP02.11 - Redefining Neuropathic Pain: Confocal And Molecular Signatures

Redefining Neuropathic Pain: Confocal And Molecular Signatures

Published 2022 - 40th Congress of the ESCRS

Reference: PP02.11 | Type: ESCRS 2022 - Posters | DOI: 10.82333/vg7q-ty52

Authors: Ritica Mukherji* 1 , Rohit Shetty 2 , Swaminathan Sethu 3 , Arkasubhra Ghosh 3 , Pooja Khamar 1 , Sharon D'Souza 2 , Gairik Kundu 2 , Archana Nair 3

1Cataract and Refractive Services,Narayana Nethralaya,Bengaluru,India, 2Cornea and Refractive Services,Narayana Nethralaya,Bengaluru,India, 3GROW Labs,Narayana Nethralaya,Bengaluru,India

Purpose

To correlate IVCM (in vivo confocal microscopy) features and tear factors in patients with ocular surface discomfort. 

Setting

Narayana Nethralaya Super-specialty Eye Hospital, Bengaluru, India

Methods

IVCM images, OSDI score and TBUT from 134 subjects (267 eyes) were recruited to determine corneal dendritic cell density (DCD), sub-basal nerve plexus (SBNP) features and microneuroma-like features. 13 soluble factors with nociceptive potential were measured using multiplex ELISA in tears from 76 subjects (88 eyes). Subjects were grouped into: 1– normal TBUT (≥10 secs) +normal OSDI (<12); 2–Low TBUT+ normal OSDI; 3–Normal TBUT+ increased OSDI; 4–Low TBUT+ increased OSDI.

Results

Group 2-4 had higher DCD than Group 1(p<0.05). No relationship was observed between OSDI and SBNP/microneuroma-like features. Group 3-4 had increased tear IL-17A (pro-nociceptive) and reduced VEGF-A (anti-nociceptive) levels (p<0.05).

Conclusions

Altered DCD and tear nociceptive cytokines are associated with ocular surface discomfort independent of tear film instability.