Changes in corneal nerve morphology and function in patients with dry eyes having type 2 diabetes
Wei Fang, Zhong-Xi Lin, Huiqing Yang, Lei Zhao, Dachuan Liu, Zhiqiang Pan
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Dry eye syndrome (DES) is a common disease with various clinical manifestations. DES had a significant association with diabetes. Blink reflex (BR) is also known as trigeminal nerve facial reflex. The stimulation of corneal nerves is one of the origins of BR stimulation. The parasympathetic fibers sent out through the facial nerve are the outlet of tear reflexes. BR can be used to assess the function of the corneal nerve closed-loop; however, whether the BR changes in these patients is unclear. AIM: To understand the morphology and function of the corneal nerve in patients with dry eyes having diabetes or not. METHODS: confocal microscopy, and BR were performed. RESULTS: < 0.001, compared with the DMnDE, DEnDM, and nDMnDE groups, respectively). The NBD and R1 Latency were different between DEwDM and DEnDM groups in patients with moderate and severe dry eyes. CONCLUSION: The corneal nerve morphology changed in patients with dry eyes or diabetes, or with both, while the function of corneal nerve closed-loop reduced only in those with dry eyes and diabetes.