Corneal sensitivity and subjective complaints of ocular pain in patients with fibromyalgia.

PurposeFibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain disorder associated with pain and hypersensitivity in various parts of the body. The aim of this study was to understand whether changes in corneal sensitivity were associated with the subjective complaints of these patients.Patients and methodsIn this study, we included 36 patients with FM (30 female, 6 male, mean age: 46.7±9.2 years) and 39 healthy control subjects (33 females, 6 males, mean age: 44.3±7.6 years). We performed a detailed ophthalmological examination, measured tear film breakup time (TBUT), and performed Schirmer I test without anesthetic (SIT). Only patients that did not have any eye disease were included in this study. Subjective complaints of the patients were evaluated with ocular surface disease index (OSDI) scores and the corneal sensation was evaluated with Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer.ResultsThere was no significant difference between the groups for age, sex, and visual acuity. Both SIT (16.1 mm vs 15.3 mm, P=0.36) and TBUT results (17.8 s vs 18.8 s, P=0.40) were similar in FM group and the controls subjects. However, corneal sensations in central (60.0 mm vs 55.0 mm, P=0.03), superior (57.5 mm vs 50.0 mm, P=0.005), and inferior (53.89 mm vs 46.03 mm, P<0.001) regions were significantly increased in FM patients. There was a significant positive correlation between corneal sensation and OSDI scores.ConclusionIn this study, we have demonstrated that the patients with FM have increased corneal sensitivity and have related ocular surface complaints similar to dry eye disease in the absence of it.

Comparison of pre-incision and single-stepped clear corneal incision in phacoemulsification surgery.

AIM: To compare postoperative keratometric corneal refractive changes after phacoemulsification surgery between pre-incision and single stepped clear corneal incision techniques. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective clinical study included 40 eyes of 40 patients who underwent clear corneal cataract surgery. Twenty eyes were operated using pre-incision technique (Group A), and 20 eyes using single-stepped incision technique (Group B). Corneal refractive power was measured by keratometry before the surgery and one week, one month, and three months postoperatively. NCSS (Number Cruncher Statistical System), 2007&PASS (Power Analysis and Sample Size), and 2008 SS (Statistical Software, Utah, USA) was used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: The mean preoperative keratometric corneal power in the pre-incision group was 44.24±1.59 and 44.70±1.26 in the single stepped incision group. After three months postoperatively, it was 44.15±1.57 in the pre-incision group and 44.77±1.39 in the single stepped incision group. There was no significant difference in the keratometric corneal refractive changes between Group A and Group B, three months after surgery (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Using pre-incision and single stepped clear corneal incision techniques in phacoemulsification surgery showed no difference on corneal refractive power changes. Pre-incision technique can be used for smoother corneal incision in cataract surgery especially for the beginners.