The prevalence and characteristics of chronic ocular itch: a cross-sectional survey

Stull, Carolyn; Valdés‐Rodríguez, Rodrigo; Shafer, Brian M.; Shevchenko, Alina; Nattkemper, Leigh; Chan, Yiong‐Huak; Tabaac, Sydney; Schardt, Martin; Najjar, Dany M.; Foster, William; Yosipovitch, Gil

doi:10.1097/itx.0000000000000004

Cited by 7 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Notably, sensory descriptors applied by patients with DE resemble those applied by patients with painful peripheral neuropathies [1, 5, 6]. Many individuals with ocular conditions also report itch, sometimes occurring concurrent with pain [7, 8]. …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neuropathic symptoms of the ocular surface: dryness, pain, and itch

Andersen

Yosipovitch

2017

Current Opinion in Allergy &Amp; Clinical Immunology

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Purpose of review To describe recent findings on epidemiology, pathophysiology and management of neuropathic symptoms of the ocular surface, with a focus on potential similarities between sensations of dry eye, pain and itch. Recent findings A narrative review of the literature was undertaken. Key references from research in dry eye, neuropathic symptoms of the ocular surface, ocular pain and itch as well as general references on itch and pain neurobiology were included. Recent findings suggest aspects of DE, chronic ocular pain, and itch symptomatology is driven by neuropathic pain mechanisms involving peripheral and central sensitization processes. Summary Ocular dryness, pain, and itch are prevalent complaints with several of shared features. Multiple lines of evidence suggest that peripheral and central neuronal sensitization processes are involved in generating and maintaining ocular sensory symptoms. Research is warranted on the epidemiology of ocular sensations, molecular mechanisms involved in nociception and pruriception in the eye, electrophysiological alterations in animal models of eye conditions, and therapeutic modalities that can alleviate unpleasant ocular sensations.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neuropathic symptoms of the ocular surface: dryness, pain, and itch

Andersen

Yosipovitch

2017

Current Opinion in Allergy &Amp; Clinical Immunology

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“…Many ophthalmologic conditions cause ocular pruritus, including allergic conjunctivitis, dry eye syndrome and blepharitis [ 2 ]. A study of 400 patients consulting an ophthalmology center in Philadelphia found a prevalence of chronic pruritus of 29.5%, with a majority of allergic conjunctivitis (51.8%), dry eye syndrome (40.1%) and blepharitis (43.8%) [ 3 ]. This study reported a higher prevalence of pruritus in women.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

EYERUBBICS: The Eye Rubbing Cycle Study

Hage

Knoeri

Leveziel

et al. 2023

JCM

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Purpose: Describe the cognitive and behavioral symptomatology of patients with chronic ocular rubbing in keratoconus (KC) and Ocular Surface Disease (OSD) using a self-questionnaire. Methods: A prospective study was conducted in a tertiary ophthalmology center between May and July 2021. We consecutively included all patients presenting with one of the following conditions: KC and OSD. A questionnaire including the evaluation of Goodman and CAGE-modified criteria for eye rubbing was given to patients in consultation to evaluate their ocular symptoms and medical background. Results: We included 153 patients in the study. Of these, 125 (81.7%) patients reported eye rubbing. The average Goodman score was 5.8 ± 3.1 and was ≥ 5 in 63.2% of cases. The CAGE score was ≥ 2 in 74.4% of patients. Addiction (p = 0.045) and psychiatric family history (p = 0.03) were more frequent in patients with higher scores. Ocular symptoms and eye rubbing were significantly more frequent and intense in patients with higher scores; Conclusion: Eye rubbing presents addictive-like cognitive and behavioral characteristics in patients with KC or OSD. The eye rubbing cycle could play an essential role in the onset and progression of keratoconus and could be a factor in the maintenance of dry eye.

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“…Although itch is considered the cardinal symptom of allergic conjunctivitis, ocular burning, stinging and even pain are other prominent complaints. In one study of individuals with chronic ocular itch, more than half of whom had underlying allergic conjunctivitis, itch was concurrent with pain in 25% of cases [2]. Ocular itch was also described as burning and tingling in half of the cases.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neuropathic pain and itch: mechanisms in allergic conjunctivitis

Kalangara

Vanijcharoenkarn²,

Chisolm

et al. 2022

Current Opinion in Allergy &Amp; Clinical Immunology

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Purpose of reviewAllergic conjunctivitis is highly prevalent and affects up to one third of the general population. The current understanding of the pathophysiology and therapeutic strategies center around the type 2 inflammatory pathway. However, there is an increasing body of evidence that suggests neurogenic mechanisms also play a role in allergic inflammation, with a substantial proportion of allergic conjunctivitis patients experiencing both ocular itch and pain. Recent findingsUnmyelinated C fibres on the ocular surface transmit histaminergic itch and can be directly activated by mast cell mediators. The conjunctival mucosa also contains TRPV1þ (histamine-dependent) and TRPA1þ (histamine-independent) neurons that enhance ocular pain and itch in allergic conjunctivitis. Allergencomplexed IgE also binds directly to FceRI expressed on peripheral neurons. Environmental aeroallergens can also directly stimulate neuronal nociceptors to release inflammatory substances. Allergic inflammation thus stimulates nerve terminals to release vasoactive and inflammatory neuropeptides, leading to a cyclical neuronal dysregulation that augments mast cell activity. These repetitive cycles lead to both peripheral and central sensitization and neuronal plasticity, resulting in decreased itch/pain thresholds and a heightened itch/pain response.

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The prevalence and characteristics of chronic ocular itch: a cross-sectional survey

Cited by 7 publications

References 21 publications

Neuropathic symptoms of the ocular surface: dryness, pain, and itch

Neuropathic symptoms of the ocular surface: dryness, pain, and itch

EYERUBBICS: The Eye Rubbing Cycle Study

Neuropathic pain and itch: mechanisms in allergic conjunctivitis

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