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Zhao L, Zhou Y, Duan H, Zhang Y, Ma B, Yang T, Chen J, Chen Y, Qi H. Analysis of Clinical Characteristics and Neuropeptides in Patients with Dry Eye with and without Chronic Ocular Pain after FS-LASIK. Ophthalmol Ther 2024; 13:711-723. [PMID: 38190027 PMCID: PMC10853104 DOI: 10.1007/s40123-023-00861-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chronic ocular pain, particularly prevalent in patients with dry eye disease and post-femtosecond laser-assisted laser in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK) surgery, presents with unclear clinical characteristics and an undefined pathogenesis. In this study, we aimed to compare clinical characteristics and tear neuropeptide concentrations in patients with dry eye disease (DED) with and without chronic ocular pain following FS-LASIK, and investigate correlations between ocular pain, clinical characteristics, and tear neuropeptide levels. METHODS Thirty-eight post-FS-LASIK patients with DED were assigned to two groups: those with chronic ocular pain and those without chronic ocular pain. Dry eye, ocular pain, and mental health-related parameters were evaluated using specific questionnaires and tests. The morphology of corneal nerves and dendritic cells (DCs) was evaluated by in vivo confocal microscopy. Function of corneal innervation was evaluated by corneal sensitivity. Concentrations of tear cytokines (interleukin [IL]-6, IL-23, IL-17A, and interferon-γ) and neuropeptides (α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, neurotensin, β-endorphin, oxytocin, and substance P [SP]) were measured using the Luminex assay. RESULTS Most patients with chronic ocular pain experienced mild to moderate pain; the most common types included stimulated pain (provoked by wind and light), burning pain, and pressure sensation. More severe dry eye (P < 0.001), anxiety symptoms (P = 0.026), lower Schirmer I test values (P = 0.035), lower corneal nerve density (P = 0.043), and more activated DCs (P = 0.041) were observed in patients with ocular pain. Tear concentrations of SP and oxytocin were significantly higher in patients with ocular pain (P = 0.001, P = 0.021, respectively). Furthermore, significant correlations were observed among ocular pain severity, SP, and anxiety levels. CONCLUSIONS Patients with DED after FS-LASIK who have chronic ocular pain show more severe ocular and psychological discomfort and higher tear levels of neuropeptides. Furthermore, ocular pain severity is correlated with tear SP levels. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05600985.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Zhao
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Peking University Health Science Center, Institute of Medical Technology, 49 North Garden Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Yifan Zhou
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Peking University Health Science Center, Institute of Medical Technology, 49 North Garden Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Hongyu Duan
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Peking University Health Science Center, Institute of Medical Technology, 49 North Garden Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Peking University Health Science Center, Institute of Medical Technology, 49 North Garden Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Baikai Ma
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Peking University Health Science Center, Institute of Medical Technology, 49 North Garden Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Tingting Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiawei Chen
- Institute of Medical Technology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Yueguo Chen
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Peking University Health Science Center, Institute of Medical Technology, 49 North Garden Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China.
| | - Hong Qi
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Peking University Health Science Center, Institute of Medical Technology, 49 North Garden Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China.
- Institute of Medical Technology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.
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