QST for Corneal Nerve Function

Launched by TUFTS MEDICAL CENTER · Feb 24, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

Quantitative Sensory Test (QST) is a non-invasive neurophysiological method that refers to a group of procedures that assess the perceptual responses to systematically applied and quantifiable sensory stimuli for the purpose of characterizing somatosensory function or dysfunction.

In this study, we propose to evaluate corneal nerve functions in patients with corneal nerve abnormalities by QST and correlate the nerve functions with symptoms, clinical signs and nerve morphology detected by In-Vivo Confocal Microscopy (IVCM). Identification of corneal nerve functions and correlations with oth...

Gender

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Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Group 1: Stage I Neurotrophic Keratopathy (NK)
• • 1. Clinical findings of Stage I NK
• • 2. Decreased nerve density by IVCM
• • 3. Decreased corneal sensation
• • Group 2: Stage II NK
• • 1. Clinical findings of Stage II NK
• • 2. Decreased nerve density by IVCM
• • 3. Decreased corneal sensation
• • Group 3: Dry Eye Disease (DED)
• • 1. Symptoms of DED at least 3 months
• • 2. Presence of at least one of the following DED signs; tear film break-up time lower than 7, ocular surface staining more than +1 based on NIH scale
• • 3. Normal or mildly effected corneal sensation
• • Group 4: Healthy Individuals
• • 1. Absence of any ocular surface symptoms
• • 2. Absence of ocular surface findings
• • 3. Transparent and clear cornea
• • 4. Normal corneal sensation
• • Group 5: NCP
• • 1. Presence of neuropathic symptoms AND
• • 2. Symptoms out of proportion to clinical findings AND
• • 3. Nerve abnormalities detected by in vivo confocal microscopy
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. History of diabetes
• • 2. History of ocular surgery, corneal infection, or corneal injury within the last 3 months
• • 3. Systemic regular anti-inflammatory and/or steroid and/or immune-modulatory therapy in the last 3 months
• • 4. Active ocular allergies
• • 5. Any major psychiatric illness including bipolar, psychosis, obsessive-compulsive disorder and major depression
• • 6. Pregnancy
• • 7. History of surgery within the last 3 months
• • 8. History of , sarcoidosis, GVHD or collagen vascular disease
• • 9. Allergic to benzalkonium chloride "BAK" (an eye-drop preservative)
• • 10. Concurrent enrollment in other studies that in the opinion of the investigator will interfere with the results of this study
• • 11. Non-English speakers