Decreased Corneal Sensitivity and Tear Production in Fibromyalgia
Juana Gallar,1* Celia Morales,2 Vanesa Freire,2 M. Carmen Acosta,1 Carlos Belmonte,1 and Juan Antonio Duran3
1Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernandez-CSIC, San Juan de Alicante, Spain
2Instituto Clinico Quirurgico de Oftalmologia, Bilbao, Spain
3Ophthalmology, Universidad del Pais Vasco, Leioa, Spain; Instituto Clinico Quirurgico de Oftalmologia, Bilbao, Spain
Abstract
Purpose
To investigate corneal sensitivity to selective mechanical, chemical, heat, and cold stimulation in fibromyalgia (FM) patients.
Methods
Twenty FM patients (18 female, 2 male; 51,9±2,3 years old) and 18 control subjects (16 female, 2 male; 51,7±2,4 years) participated voluntarily in the study. Subjective symptoms of ocular dryness were explored and Schirmer's1 test was performed. The response to selective stimulation of the central cornea with the Belmonte gas esthesiometer was measured.
Results
The majority (18 out of 20) of FM patients reported dry eye symptoms, being the ocular dryness score significantly higher than in healthy subjects (2,3±0,1 vs. 0,05±0,02; p<0,001). Schirmer's test values were significantly reduced in FM patients compared to those of the control group (10,5±,2 mm and 30,6±1,6 mm, respectively; p<0,001). Mean corneal threshold sensitivity to chemical stimulation (31,16±2,04 % CO2 FM; 15,72±0,67% CO2 control) to heating (1,87±0,11 °C FM; 0,99±0,05 °C control) and to cooling (-2,53±0,11 °C FM; -0,76±0,05 °C control) were increased in FM patients while threshold to mechanical stimulation did not vary significantly (123,0±8,0 ml/min FM; 107,8±4,4 ml/min control).
Conclusions
The reduced corneal sensitivity of patients with fibromyalgia is attributable to a moderate decrease of corneal polymodal and cold nociceptor sensitivity, that may be the consequence or the cause of the chronic reduction in tear secretion also observed in these patients.
References
The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Inc. DOI: 10.1167/iovs.08-3083
Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D. is one of the most frequently quoted post viral CFS, fibromyalgia, energy, sleep and pain medical authorities in the world. He is the author of 12 books including You Can Heal from Long Covid, the best-selling From Fatigued to Fantastic!, Pain Free 1-2-3, The Complete Guide to Beating Sugar Addiction, Real Cause Real Cure, The Fatigue and Fibromyalgia Solution, and the popular free Smart Phone app Cures A-Z. He is the lead author of eight research studies and three medical textbook chapters on effective treatment for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Dr. Teitelbaum appears often as a guest on news and talk shows nationwide, including past appearances on Good Morning America, The Dr. Oz Show, Oprah & Friends, CNN, and FoxNewsHealth.
Websites: Vitality101.com | EndFatigue.com
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