Non-contact confocal calcium imaging of murine corneal nerves.

Abnormal corneal nerve function and associated disease is a significant public health concern. It is associated with prevalent ocular surface diseases, including dry eye disease. Corneal nerve dysfunction is also a common side effect of refractive surgeries, as well as a symptom of diseases that cause peripheral neuropathies.

Quantifying the Corneal Nerve Whorl Pattern.

Purpose: The corneal nerves within the sub-basal nerve plexus (SBNP) display a distinctive whorl-like pattern, a highly dynamic structure that could be a marker of diseases. Previous studies have reported a decrease in whorl nerve density in patients with diabetes, indicating an avenue for noninvasive monitoring of diabetic neuropathy. However, conflicting results have since been reported, highlighting the need for improved quantitative analysis of the corneal whorl.

Acyl-CoA:wax alcohol acyltransferase 2 modulates the cone visual cycle in mouse retina.

The daylight and color vision of diurnal vertebrates depends on cone photoreceptors. The capability of cones to operate and respond to changes in light brightness even under high illumination is attributed to their fast rate of recovery to the ground photosensitive state. This process requires the rapid replenishing of photoisomerized visual chromophore (11-cis-retinal) to regenerate cone visual pigments.

Mouse models in studies on the etiology of evaporative dry eye disease.

Evaporative dry eye disease (DED) is a common ocular condition impacting the quality of life of millions of patients worldwide. The etiology of evaporative DED is related to dysfunction of meibomian glands (MGs), resulting in suboptimal yield or lipid composition of secreted meibum. The clinical manifestation of evaporative DED involves mechanical obstruction of the MG orifice and decreased tear film stability that leads to chronic eye irritation, inflammation, and progressive damage to the cornea and surrounding tissue.