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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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Tajbakhsh Z, Golebiowski B, Stapleton F, Alghamdi A, Gray PE, Altavilla B, Briggs N, Jalbert I. Increased dendritic cell density and altered morphology in allergic conjunctivitis. Eye (Lond) 2023; 37:2896-2904. [PMID: 36747109 PMCID: PMC10516863 DOI: 10.1038/s41433-023-02426-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Corneal and conjunctival epithelial dendritic cells (DC) have an established role in vernal keratoconjunctivitis, however, their role in more prevalent forms of allergic eye disease remains unclear. This study evaluated corneal and conjunctival epithelial DC density, morphology, and distribution observed using in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) in allergic conjunctivitis. METHODS In this prospective, observational study, 66 participants (mean age 36.6 ± 12.0 years, 56% female): 33 with allergic conjunctivitis and 33 controls were recruited. IVCM was performed at the corneal centre, inferior whorl, corneal periphery, corneal limbus, and temporal bulbar conjunctiva. DC were counted and their morphology was assessed as follows: largest cell body size, presence of dendrites, and presence of long and thick dendrites. Mixed model analysis (DC density) and non-parametric tests (DC morphology) were used. RESULTS DC density was higher in allergic participants at all locations (p ≤ 0.01), (corneal centre median (IQR) 21.9 (8.7-50.9) cells/mm2 vs 13.1 (2.8-22.8) cells/mm2; periphery 37.5 (15.6-67.2) cells/mm2 vs 20 (9.4-32.5) cells/mm2; limbus 75 (60-120) cells/mm2 vs 58.1 (44.4-66.2) cells/mm2; conjunctiva 10 (0-54.4) cells/mm2 vs 0.6 (0-5.6) cells/mm2, but not at the inferior whorl 21.9 (6.2-34.4) cells/mm2 vs 12.5 (1.9-37.5) cells/mm2, p = 0.20. At the corneal centre, allergic participants had larger DC bodies (p = 0.02), a higher proportion of DC with dendrites (p = 0.02) and long dendrites (p = 0.003) compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS Corneal and conjunctival DC density was increased, and morphology altered in allergic conjunctivitis. These findings imply that the ocular surface immune response was upregulated and support an increased antigen-capture capacity of DC in allergic conjunctivitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Tajbakhsh
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | | | - Fiona Stapleton
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ali Alghamdi
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Paul E Gray
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Betina Altavilla
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Nancy Briggs
- Stats Central, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Isabelle Jalbert
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Tajbakhsh Z, Jalbert I, Stapleton F, Alghamdi A, Gray PE, Briggs N, Altavilla B, Mobeen R, Golebiowski B. Dendritiform immune cells with reduced antigen-capture capacity persist in the cornea during the asymptomatic phase of allergic conjunctivitis. Eye (Lond) 2023; 37:2768-2775. [PMID: 36747108 PMCID: PMC10482935 DOI: 10.1038/s41433-023-02413-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increased density and altered morphology of dendritic cells (DC) in the cornea and conjunctiva occur during active allergic conjunctivitis. This study investigated whether inflammation (characterised by altered DC density and morphology) persists during the symptom-free phase of allergic conjunctivitis. METHODS Twenty participants (age 43.3 ± 14.3 years, 55% female) assessed during their active (symptomatic) phase of allergic conjunctivitis were re-examined during the asymptomatic phase. Ocular allergy symptoms and signs were evaluated during both phases, and five ocular surface locations (corneal centre, inferior whorl, corneal periphery, corneal limbus, and bulbar conjunctiva) were examined using in vivo confocal microscopy (HRT III). DC were counted manually, and their morphology was assessed for cell body size, presence of dendrites, presence of long dendrites and presence of thick dendrites using a grading system. Mixed model analysis (DC density) and non-parametric tests (DC morphology) were used to examine differences between phases. RESULTS DC density at corneal locations did not change between the active and asymptomatic phases (p ≥ 0.22). However, corneal DC body size was smaller and fewer DC presented with long dendrites during the asymptomatic phase (p ≤ 0.02). In contrast, at the bulbar conjunctiva, DC density was reduced during the asymptomatic phase compared to the active phase (p = 0.01), but there were no changes in DC morphology. CONCLUSIONS Dendritiform immune cell numbers persist in the cornea during the symptom-free phase of allergic conjunctivitis, whereas conjunctival DC appear to return to a baseline state. The morphology of these persisting corneal DC suggests their antigen-capture capacity is reduced during the asymptomatic phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Tajbakhsh
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, UNSW, Sydney, Australia.
| | | | - Fiona Stapleton
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, UNSW, Sydney, Australia
| | - Ali Alghamdi
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, UNSW, Sydney, Australia
| | - Paul E Gray
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Nancy Briggs
- Stats Central, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, UNSW, Sydney, Australia
| | - Betina Altavilla
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Rabia Mobeen
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, UNSW, Sydney, Australia
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Tajbakhsh Z, Jalbert I, Stapleton F, Briggs N, Golebiowski B. Diurnal changes and topographical distribution of ocular surface epithelial dendritic cells in humans, and repeatability of density and morphology assessment. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2023; 43:273-283. [PMID: 36592129 PMCID: PMC10108257 DOI: 10.1111/opo.13087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Dendritic cells (DC) play a crucial role in ocular surface defence. DC can be visualised in vivo by confocal microscopy but have not yet been fully characterised in humans. This study investigated the diurnal variation, topographical distribution and repeatability of DC density and morphology measurements. METHODS In vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) was conducted on 20 healthy participants (mean age 32.7 ± 6.4 years, 50% female) at baseline and repeated after 30 minutes, 2, 6 and 24 h. Images were captured at the corneal centre, inferior whorl, corneal periphery, limbus and bulbar conjunctiva. DC were counted manually, and their morphology was assessed for cell body size, presence of dendrites, and presence of long and thick dendrites. Mixed-model analysis, non-parametric analyses, Bland and Altman plots, coefficient of repeatability (CoR) and kappa were used. RESULTS There were no significant changes in DC density (p ≥ 0.74) or morphology (p > 0.07) at any location over the 24-h period. The highest DC density was observed at the corneal limbus followed by the peripheral cornea (p < 0.001), with the lowest density at the corneal centre, inferior whorl and bulbar conjunctiva. Most DC at the corneal periphery, limbus and bulbar conjunctiva had larger cell bodies compared with the corneal centre (p ≤ 0.01), and the presence of long dendrites was observed mostly at non-central locations. Day-to-day CoR for DC density ranged from ±28.1 cells/mm2 at the corneal centre to ±56.4 cells/mm2 at the limbus. Day-to-day agreement of DC morphology determined by kappa ranged from 0.5 to 0.95 for cell body size, 0.60 to 0.95 for presence of dendrites, and 0.55 to 0.80 for the presence of long dendrites at various locations. CONCLUSIONS No diurnal changes are apparent in corneal or conjunctival DC. Substantial topographical differences exist in DC density and morphology. IVCM provides good repeatability of DC density and acceptable agreement of DC morphology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Tajbakhsh
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Isabelle Jalbert
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Fiona Stapleton
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Nancy Briggs
- Stats Central, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Blanka Golebiowski
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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