Ms.Dr. Bhavya Gorimanipalli

Dr. SHARON DSOUZA, Dr. ROHIT SHETTY, Dr. POOJA KHAMAR

Abstract

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

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

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