Our long-term goal is to greatly impact the management of dry eye (DE) by identifying novel preventive and therapeutic strategies for a disorder that negatively impacts the quality-of-life of one in five veterans. There is a growing appreciation from our work, and that of others, that some manifestations of ocular discomfort commonly described as symptoms of dry eye, are better understood as corneal pain. While DE symptoms were initially attributed to ocular surface dryness, it is now increasingly understood that some DE symptoms are associated with corneal nerve damage resembling the pathologic neuroplasticity of other neuropathic pain syndromes. In susceptible patients, these pathological changes, including peripheral sensitization, central sensitization, and altered descending modulation, may underlie certain persistent dry eye symptoms; and may explain the observed clinical heterogeneity in DE with frequent discordance between tear film measures and symptoms. Furthermore, we have shown that clinical descriptors of neuropathic pain (burning, sensitivity to light and wind) are correlated with severe and persistent DE symptoms, suggesting that dysfunction in the corneal somatosensory system may be an important but overlooked facet of some DE subtypes. To build upon our observations and address our goals we will undertake the following:
Aim 1 will define DE subtypes and determine whether DE patients (334 cases) more frequently demonstrate clinical findings consistent with corneal and/or central sensitization compared to subjects without DE symptoms (167 controls) using a comprehensive advanced pain assessment protocol (cornea and cutaneous thresholds, temporal summation, conditioned pain modulation).
Aim 2 will determine the relationship between ocular surface biomarkers of environmental stress and corneal injury (i.e., pro- and anti-inflammatory tear lipidome; MMP-9, osmolarity, serotonin) and our defined DE subtypes.
In Aim 3, we will utilize state-of-the-art proprietary Pain Gene Exome Array technology to assess candidate genes implicated in DE; identify new genes and biologic pathways associated with susceptibility to DE subtypes; and attempt to replicate these findings using data from other previously genotyped persistent pain cohorts. These experiments will address a major gap in our current knowledge on DE. Our studies will advance our understanding of neuro-ophthalmologic pathology underlying DE subtypes; and greatly impact this field by facilitating more accurate diagnosis, prognosis, and mechanism- based therapeutic and preventive approaches for DE. Ultimately, these studies should decrease DE associated morbidity and improve the quality-of-life of veterans and non-veterans alike.

Public Health Relevance

Dry eye (DE) affects one-in-five veterans and substantially impacts quality of life. Utility studie estimate that the impact of moderate-to-severe DE symptoms is equivalent to severe migraine. In common with other chronic pain syndromes, evidence suggests some DE patients display corneal nerve damage and neuropathic pain. In this program, we address a major unmet need by using a comprehensive pain assessment protocol, including for the first time corneal pain thresholds to determine the neuro-ophthalmologic pathology underlying DE subtypes. We will then determine the relationship between ocular surface biomarkers of environmental stress and corneal injury with these DE subtypes. Finally, we utilize state-of-the-art proprietary genomic technology to assess candidate genes implicated in DE susceptibility and integrate all of these data to facilitate more accurate diagnosis, prognosis, and mechanism-based therapeutic development. This first-of-kind clinical translational study is designed to advance our DE knowledge, improve morbidity, and benefit quality-of-life.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Veterans Affairs (VA)
Type
Non-HHS Research Projects (I01)
Project #
5I01CX001089-02
Application #
9206899
Study Section
Epidemiology (EPID)
Project Start
2016-01-01
Project End
2019-12-31
Budget Start
2017-01-01
Budget End
2017-12-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2017
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Miami VA Health Care System
Department
Type
DUNS #
079275714
City
Miami
State
FL
Country
United States
Zip Code
33125
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