SEARCHCROSS-SECTIONALophthalmology, cornea

cross-sectional·ophthalmology, cornea, nutrition, micronutrients, endocrinology·PMC10275886

Association between systemic omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid levels, and corneal nerve structure and function

Eye · 4 authors, 2 centres

AI SUMMARY

FIDELITY 100%

This summary was generated by AI from a single paper. It has not been reviewed by a clinician and is not clinical advice. Verify against the source before acting on it.

AGENT 01 · STRUCTURED SUMMARY

TRACE TO SOURCE

“

TL;DR

This cross-sectional study of 47 people found a positive association between systemic Omega-3 Index levels and corneal nerve fiber length, independent of age and diabetes status.

Full summary

1,203 CHARS

This prospective, cross-sectional study assessed 47 participants (26 with diabetes, 21 without) with no or mild peripheral neuropathy. It investigated the relationship between systemic omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid levels and corneal nerve structure and function. Corneal anatomical parameters were measured with in vivo confocal microscopy, and corneal sensitivity with non-contact esthesiometry. Multiple linear regression, adjusted for age, sex, neuropathy symptom score, diabetes, and dry eye disease, was used. The central result was a positive, independent association between the Omega-3 Index and corneal nerve fiber length (CNFL), with a beta of 0.33 and p-value of 0.02. DHA was also associated with CNFL. No association was found between PUFA levels and corneal sensitivity or immune cell density. A negative correlation between CNFL and cold sensation thresholds was found in diabetes participants only. Limitations include the cross-sectional design, a population with generally low Omega-3 Indices, and the use of a symptom questionnaire for neuropathy classification. The findings suggest a link between systemic omega-3 PUFA levels, particularly DHA, and corneal nerve architecture.

STUDY TYPE

cross-sectional

SPECIALTY

ophthalmology

SUMMARISED BY

AI pipeline

FIDELITY CHECK

100% · A

ORIGINAL PAPER

PMC10275886

Association between systemic omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid levels, and corneal nerve structure and function

Eye

READ THE FULL PAPER

ABSTRACT

Abstract Background Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), have anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. This study sought to determine the relationship between corneal parameters and systemic omega-3 fatty acid levels. Methods Forty-seven participants with no/mild peripheral neuropathy (26 with diabetes and 21 without) underwent comprehensive ocular surface and systemic PUFA assessments. Corneal anatomical parameters were assessed using in vivo confocal microscopy. Corneal sensitivity was measured using non-contact esthesiometry. Relationships between systemic PUFA levels and corneal parameters were evaluated with multiple linear regression, adjusted for age, sex, neuropathy symptom score, and presence of diabetes and dry eye disease. The relationship between corneal nerve fibre length (CNFL) and corneal sensitivity threshold was evaluated. Results The median Omega-3 Index, a measure of erythrocyte EPA and DHA, was 5.21% (interquartile range: 4.44–5.94%) in the study population. Mean ( ± SD) CNFL was 13.53 ± 3.37 mm/mm 2 . Multiple linear regression showed that Omega-3 Index ( β = 0.33; p = 0.02), age ( β = −0.46; p = 0.001) and diabetes ( β = −0.30; p = 0.03) were independently associated with CNFL ( R 2 = 0.39, p = 0.002). In a separate model, DHA ( β = 0.32; p = 0.027) and age ( β = −0.41; p = 0.003) were associated with CNFL ( R 2 = 0.37, p = 0.003). Neither systemic EPA nor omega-6 fatty acid levels correlated with CNFL. There was no association between PUFA levels and corneal sensitivity or corneal immune cell density. A negative correlation was found between CNFL and corneal sensation thresholds to a cooled stimulus in diabetes participants, in the central (ρ = −0.50; p = 0.009) and peripheral (ρ = −0.50; p = 0.01) cornea. Conclusions A positive relationship between the systemic Omega-3 Index and corneal nerve parameters suggests omega-3 PUFA intake may influence corneal nerve architecture. Subject terms: Corneal diseases, Medical research

CITATION EXPORT

Alexis Ceecee Britten-Jones, Jennifer P Craig, Andrew J Anderson et al.. Association between systemic omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid levels, and corneal nerve structure and function. Eye. (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41433-022-02259-0

AUTHORS

4 · 2 CENTRES

Alexis Ceecee Britten-Jones, Jennifer P Craig, Andrew J Anderson, Laura E Downie

1Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
2Department of Ophthalmology, New Zealand National Eye Centre, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand