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Higher serotonin levels found in patients with dry eye, tear deficiency
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Patients with dry eye symptoms and aqueous tear deficiency had higher concentrations of serotonin on the ocular surface than patients with dry eye only and patients without dry eye or tear deficiency, according to Priyanka Chhadva, BS, and fellow researchers in Ophthalmology.
Researchers hypothesized that ocular surface inflammation can increase local concentrations of neurotransmitters and thus modulate neuronal function, according to the study.
In this cross-sectional study, 62 patients with normal eyelid and corneal anatomy were evaluated for Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), tear break-up time (TBUT), corneal staining and Schirmer’s score, as well as clinical descriptors of neuropathic ocular pain. Mean patient age was 61 years, and 84% were male.
Schirmer’s scores negatively correlated with serotonin but did not correlate with dry eye parameters such as OSDI scores, TBUT and sensitivity to light or wind, according to researchers.
Researchers found that serotonin was significantly higher in the group whose OSDI was at least 6 and Schirmer’s score was less than 8 when compared to the group whose OSDI was at least 6 and Schirmer’s score was at least 8 and controls, whose OSDI was less than 6 and Schirmer’s score was at least 8.
Researchers measured tear serotonin using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
“The implications of this study support a disease model in which there is a connection among ocular surface stress, inflammation and peripheral sensitization of ocular somatosensory nerves in some patients with dry eye,” researchers concluded. – by Abigail Sutton
Disclosure: The researchers reported no relevant financial disclosures.
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