Corneal sensitivity and subjective complaints of ocular pain in patients with fibromyalgia

Abstract

Purpose Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain disorder associated with pain and hypersensitivity in various parts of the body. The aim of this study was to understand whether changes in corneal sensitivity were associated with the subjective complaints of these patients. Patients and methods In this study, we included 36 patients with FM (30 female, 6 male, mean age: 46.7 +/- 9.2 years) and 39 healthy control subjects (33 females, 6 males, mean age: 44.3 +/- 7.6 years). We performed a detailed ophthalmological examination, measured tear film breakup time (TBUT), and performed Schirmer I test without anesthetic (SIT). Only patients that did not have any eye disease were included in this study. Subjective complaints of the patients were evaluated with ocular surface disease index (OSDI) scores and the corneal sensation was evaluated with Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer. Results There was no significant difference between the groups for age, sex, and visual acuity. Both SIT (16.1 mm vs 15.3 mm, P=0.36) and TBUT results (17.8 s vs 18.8 s, P=0.40) were similar in FM group and the controls subjects. However, corneal sensations in central (60.0 mm vs 55.0 mm, P=0.03), superior (57.5 mm vs 50.0 mm, P=0.005), and inferior (53.89 mm vs 46.03 mm, P < 0.001) regions were significantly increased in FM patients. There was a significant positive correlation between corneal sensation and OSDI scores. Conclusion In this study, we have demonstrated that the patients with FM have increased corneal sensitivity and have related ocular surface complaints similar to dry eye disease in the absence of it.