Topical and oral peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α agonist ameliorates diabetic corneal neuropathy.

Diabetic corneal neuropathy (DCN) is a common diabetic ocular complication with limited treatment options. In this study, we investigated the effects of topical and oral fenofibrate, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α agonist, on the amelioration of DCN using diabetic mice (n = 120). Ocular surface assessments, corneal nerve and cell imaging analysis, tear proteomics and its associated biological pathways, immuno-histochemistry and western blot on PPARα expression, were studied before and 12 weeks after treatment.

Correction to "Cytocompatible Triblock Copolymers with Controlled Microstructure Enabling Orthogonally Functionalized Bio-polymer Conjugates".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.

Neuropathic Corneal Pain: Tear Proteomic and Neuromediator Profiles, Imaging Features, and Clinical Manifestations.

Purpose: To investigate the tear proteomic and neuromediator profiles, in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) imaging features, and clinical manifestations in neuropathic corneal pain (NCP) patients.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Methods: A total of 20 NCP patients and 20 age-matched controls were recruited.

Neuropathic Corneal Pain after Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Infection.

Introduction: This is a case report of a patient with neuropathic corneal pain after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection.

Methods: A previously healthy 27-year-old female presented with bilateral eye pain accompanied by increased light sensitivity 5 months after COVID-19 infection. She was diagnosed with neuropathic corneal pain based on clear corneas without fluorescein staining, alongside the presence of microneuromas, dendritic cells, and activated stromal keratocytes identified bilaterally on in vivo confocal microscopy.

Impact of corrected refractive power on the corneal denervation and ocular surface in small-incision lenticule extraction and LASIK.

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of corrected refractive power on the corneal denervation and ocular surface in small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) and laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).

Setting: Singapore National Eye Center, Singapore.

Design: Prospective study.

Impact of Age on the Characteristics of Corneal Nerves and Corneal Epithelial Cells in Healthy Adults.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate age-related changes in corneal nerves and corneal epithelial cell parameters and to establish age-adjusted reference values.

Methods: A total of 7025 corneal nerve images and 4215 corneal epithelial images obtained using in vivo confocal microscopy from 281 eyes of 143 healthy participants were included. Seven corneal nerve parameters and 3 corneal epithelial cell parameters were quantified using 2 automatic analytic software and analyzed across 6 age groups ranging from 21 to 80 years.

Clinical associations of corneal neuromas with ocular surface diseases.

Corneal neuromas, also termed microneuromas, refer to microscopic, irregularly-shaped enlargements of terminal subbasal nerve endings at sites of nerve damage or injury. The formation of corneal neuromas results from damage to corneal nerves, such as following corneal pathology or corneal or intraocular surgeries. Initially, denervated areas of sensory nerve fibers become invaded by sprouts of intact sensory nerve fibers, and later injured axons regenerate and new sprouts called neuromas develop.

Culture of Primary Neurons from Dissociated and Cryopreserved Mouse Trigeminal Ganglion.

Corneal nerves originate from the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve, which enters the cornea at the limbus radially from all directions toward the central cornea. The cell bodies of the sensory neurons of trigeminal nerve are located in the trigeminal ganglion (TG), while the axons are extended into the three divisions, including ophthalmic branch that supplies corneal nerves. Study of primary neuronal cultures established from the TG fibers can therefore provide a knowledge basis for corneal nerve biology and potentially be developed as an platform for drug testing.

Corneal dendritic cells in diabetes mellitus: A narrative review.

Diabetes mellitus is a global public health problem with both macrovascular and microvascular complications, such as diabetic corneal neuropathy (DCN). Using confocal microscopy, corneal nerve changes in DCN patients can be examined. Additionally, changes in the morphology and quantity of corneal dendritic cells (DCs) in diabetic corneas have also been observed.

The Effects of High Energy Capsulotomy on Aqueous Cytokine Profiles and Pupil Size During Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery.

Purpose: To assess whether aqueous cytokine profiles and pupil size are altered when high capsulotomy energy is used in eyes undergoing femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS), and if preoperative use of a topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) has an effect on this.

Methods: This prospective study recruited 83 eyes (63 patients) that were allocated to four treatment groups: conventional phacoemulsification (n = 20 eyes); FLACS with 90% capsulotomy energy without NSAID pretreatment (n = 20 eyes); FLACS with 90% capsulotomy energy with NSAID pre-treatment (n = 21 eyes); and FLACS with 150% capsulotomy energy with NSAID pretreatment (n = 22 eyes). Aqueous humor was collected before and after phacoemulsification to assess cytokine profiles.

Diabetic corneal neuropathy as a surrogate marker for diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Diabetic neuropathy is a prevalent microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus, affecting nerves in all parts of the body including corneal nerves and peripheral nervous system, leading to diabetic corneal neuropathy and diabetic peripheral neuropathy, respectively. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is diagnosed in clinical practice using electrophysiological nerve conduction studies, clinical scoring, and skin biopsies. However, these diagnostic methods have limited sensitivity in detecting small-fiber disease, hence they do not accurately reflect the status of diabetic neuropathy.

In Vivo Confocal Microscopy Evaluation in Patients with Keratoconus.

Keratoconus is the most common primary corneal ectasia characterized by progressive focal thinning. Patients experience increased irregular astigmatism, decreased visual acuity and corneal sensitivity. Corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL), a minimally invasive procedure, is effective in halting disease progression.

Tear Neuromediator and Corneal Denervation Following SMILE.

Purpose: To investigate the changes in tear neuromediators and corneal subbasal nerve plexus following small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) and to study its association with different refractive power of corrections.

Methods: Thirty patients were included for tear neuromediator analysis (40 eyes) and corneal nerve analysis using in vivo confocal microscopy scans (20 eyes). Tear samples were collected preoperatively and 1 week and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively and analyzed for the substance P, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and nerve growth factor (NGF) concentrations using the enzyme-linked immunosor-bent assay (ELISA).

Clinical Applications of In Vivo Confocal Microscopy in Keratorefractive Surgery.

Purpose: To review the contribution of in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) to the understanding of corneal wound healing following refractive surgery, and its role in the diagnosis and management of complications arising from keratorefractive procedures.

Methods: Review of the basic science and clinical literature relating to the study of keratorefractive surgical procedures using IVCM.

Results: Extensive research using IVCM has generated a comprehensive understanding of tissue responses after corneal refractive surgery.

Comparison of tear proteomic and neuromediator profiles changes between small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) and femtosecond laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK).

Introduction: The tear proteomics and neuromediators are associated with clinical dry eye parameters following refractive surgery.

Purpose: To investigate and compare the tear proteomic and neuromediator profiles following small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) versus laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK).

Methods: In this randomized controlled trial with paired-eye design, 70 patients were randomized to receive SMILE in one eye and LASIK in the other eye.

Safety profiles of terahertz scanning in ophthalmology.

Terahertz (THz) technology has emerged recently as a potential novel imaging modality in biomedical fields, including ophthalmology. However, the ocular biological responses after THz electromagnetic exposure have not been investigated. We conducted a rabbit study to evaluate the safety profiles of THz scanning on eyes, at a tissue, cellular, structural and functional level.

Diabetic Corneal Neuropathy.

Diabetic keratopathy (DK) is a common, but underdiagnosed, ocular complication of diabetes mellitus (DM) that has a significant economic burden. It is characterised by progressive damage of corneal nerves, due to DM-induced chronic hyperglycaemia and its associated metabolic changes. With advances in corneal nerve imaging and quantitative analytic tools, studies have shown that the severity of diabetic corneal neuropathy correlates with the status of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Nanotechnology for the Treatment of Allergic Conjunctival Diseases.

Allergic conjunctivitis is one of the most common external eye diseases and the prevalence has been increasing. The mainstay of treatment is topical eye drops. However, low bioavailability, low ocular drug penetration, transient resident time on the ocular surface due to tear turnover, frequent topical applications and dependence on patient compliance, are the main drawbacks associated with topical administration.