Autonomic Nerve Dysfunction in Ocular Diseases

Abstract

The autonomic nervous system influences numerous ocular functions and disorders. It is well known that various pupillary abnormalities and ptosis are caused by local dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. Furthermore, ocular symptoms can occur as a manifestation of systemic autonomic dysfunction. Understanding the pathophysiology of the autonomic nervous system is useful for management of patients with various eye diseases.

Comparison of the effects of corneal and lacrimal gland denervation on the lacrimal functional unit of rats

“…LG denervation has been widely used since the 1940s as a "cure" for epiphora and tearing caused by environmental factors. Current evidence indicates that neural damage to the exocrine glands, including the LG, in humans and other species is associated with autonomic dysfunction, local inflammation, and secretory impairment and plays a part in the DES mechanism, such as in Sjögren's syndrome (8,(21)(22)(23) .…”