Clinical characteristics of dry eye with ocular neuropathic pain features: comparison according to the types of sensitization based on the Ocular Pain Assessment Survey

Abstract

Abstract Background To compare the clinical characteristics of dry eye patients with ocular neuropathic pain features according to the types of sensitization based on the Ocular Pain Assessment Survey (OPAS). Methods Cross-sectional study of 33 patients with dry eye and ocular neuropathic pain features. All patients had a comprehensive ophthalmic assessment including detailed history, the intensity and duration of ocular pain, the tear film, ocular surface, and Meibomian gland examination, and OPAS. Patients with < 50% improvement in pain intensity after proparacaine challenge test were assigned to the central-dominant sensitization group (central group) and those with ≥50% improvement were assigned to the peripheral-dominant sensitization group (peripheral group). All variables were compared between the two groups. Results No significant differences were observed in age, sex, underlying diseases, history of ocular surgery, duration of ocular pain, tear film, ocular surface and Meibomian gland parameters (all p > 0.05). Ocular pain and non-ocular pain severity and the percentage of time spent thinking about non-ocular pain were significantly higher in the central group than in the peripheral group (all p < 0.05). Central group complained more commonly of a burning sensation than did the peripheral group (p = 0.01). Conclusions Patients with central-dominant sensitization may experience more intense ocular and non-ocular pain than the others and burning sensation may be a key symptom in those patients.