Authors:Wu Yifei, Wang Yinghui, Jie Ying
Corresponding author: Jie Ying, Email:jie_yingcn@aliyun.com
Published:2026-10-10
DOI:10.3760/cma.j.cn115989-20260705-00272
ABSTRACT
Dry eye is a multifactorial ocular surface disease driven by a combination of factors, including tear film instability, tear hyperosmolarity, ocular surface inflammation, and neurosensory abnormalities. Corneal nerve abnormalities may interfere with reflex tear secretion and corneal epithelial repair, leading to prolonged symptoms and variable responses to treatment. The clinical manifestations of corneal nerve abnormalities lack specificity. Some patients may experience reduced corneal sensation, with their subjective discomfort failing to reflect the degree of epithelial lesions, while others may experience significant pain that cannot be fully explained by routine ocular surface examinations. Based on the existing research, this article discusses the mechanisms underlying dry eye-related corneal nerve abnormalities, challenges in clinical identification, and practical issues in treatment, while analyzing the applicability and limitations of current assessment methods and therapeutic measures. Future clinical research should further elucidate the interaction between dry eye and corneal nerve abnormalities and identify predictors of symptom persistence, corneal epithelial risk, and treatment response, thereby enabling the identification of patients who may benefit from neurotrophic support or neuromodulatory therapies.
KEYWORDS：
Dry eye;Corneal nerve abnormalities;Neuropathic corneal pain;Corneal sensitivity;In vivo confocal microscopy
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Authors Info & Affiliations
Wu Yifei
Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Key Lab, Beijing 100730, China
Wang Yinghui
Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Key Lab, Beijing 100730, China
Jie Ying
Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Key Lab, Beijing 100730, China
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