Corneal Nerve Migration Rate in a Healthy Control Population. Issue 8 (August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Al Rashah, Khaled; Pritchard, Nicola; Dehghani, Cirous; Ruggeri, Alfredo; Guimaraes, Pedro; Russell, Anthony; Malik, Rayaz A.; Efron, Nathan; Edwards, Katie
• Is Part Of: Optometry and vision science. Volume 95:Issue 8(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-08
• Subjects: Optometry -- Periodicals; Physiological optics -- Periodicals; Vision disorders -- Periodicals; 617.7505
• DOI: 10.1097/OPX.0000000000001254
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1040-5488

Abstract

Abstract : PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to establish an age-dependent normative range and factors affecting the migration rate of the corneal subbasal nerve plexus in a healthy control population. METHODS: Corneal nerve migration rate was measured in 60 healthy participants grouped by age: A, aged 20 to 39 years (n = 20); B, 40 to 59 years (n = 20); and C, 60 to 79 years (n = 20). Laser-scanning corneal confocal microscopy was performed on the right eye of all participants at baseline and again after 3 weeks. Fully automated software was used to montage the frames. Distinctive nerve landmarks were manually reidentified between the two montages, and a software program was developed to measure the migration of these landmark points to determine corneal nerve migration rate in micrometers per week (μm/wk). RESULTS: The mean ± SD age of all participants in the study was 47.5 ± 15.5 years; 62% of participants were male. The average corneal nerve migration rates of groups A, B, and C were 42.0 ± 14.0, 42.3 ± 15.5, and 42.0 ± 10.8 μm/wk, respectively ( P = .99). There was no difference in corneal nerve migration rate between male (41.1 ± 13.5 μm/wk) and female (43.7 ± 13.2 μm/wk) participants ( P = .47). There was no significant correlation between age ( P = .97), smoking ( P = .46), alcohol use ( P = .61), and body mass index ( P = .49, respectively) with corneal nerve migration rate. However, exercise frequency correlated significantly ( P = .04) with corneal nerve migration rate. CONCLUSIONS: Corneal nerve migration rate varies in healthy individuals and is not affected by age, sex, or body mass index but is related to physical activity.