Neuropathic ocular pain common in patients with chronic dry eye post-refractive surgery

Chronic ocular pain is found in most patients seeking care for persistent symptomatic dry eye (DE) after refractive surgery, with most pain categorized as neuropathic, according to a study.

In this observational study, 104 patients who sought out a consultation for persistent symptomatic DE post-RS completed questionnaires specific to DE-, pain- and psychological-related symptoms. Pain symptoms were categorized as neuropathic or nociceptive.

Overall, 85.6% of participants had corneal refractive surgery. After undergoing surgery, respondents reported more migraines, anxiety, depression, and central sensitization syndromes

Dryness and pain were the most frequent symptoms reported in those who had persistent DE-symptoms, of which symptoms were considered severe in 86.5%.

In 82 (78.8%) patients, ocular pain was present; it was neuropathic in 80.5%, and 63.5% of the entire cohort.

Reference
Vázquez A, Martínez-Plaza E, Fernández I, et al. Phenotypic characterization of patients developing chronic dry eye and pain after refractive surgery: A cross-sectional study. Ocul Surf. 2022;S1542-0124(22)00065-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jtos.2022.07.010. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35934280.