Table 2.
Correlations between baseline bulbar conjunctival microvasculature parameters and DE symptoms (including ocular pain) and signs
| Continuous variables | Velocity Pearson r/Spearman rho | Network complexity Pearson r/Spearman rho | Vessel diameter Pearson r/Spearman rho |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE symptoms | |||
|
| |||
| Dry eye questionnaire 5 | 0.001/0.059 | −0.150/−0.114 | 0.074/0.134 |
| Ocular surface disease index | 0.088/0.081 | −0.218/−0.238 | 0.133/0.116 |
|
| |||
| Ocular pain | |||
|
| |||
| NRS | 0.084/−0.294 | −0.319*/−0.294 | 0.167/0.147 |
| NPSI-Eye total | 0.045/0.012 | −0.174/−0.249 | 0.066/0.070 |
| Burning spontaneous pain | 0.085/0.057 | −0.137/−0.180 | −0.031/−0.027 |
| Wind hyperalgesia | −0.011/−0.013 | −0.083/−0.094 | 0.045/0.033 |
| Light allodynia | −0.030/−0.032 | −0.337*/−0.290 | 0.250/0.250 |
|
| |||
| Ocular signs | |||
|
| |||
| Osmolarity† | 0.052/0.114 | −0.023/0.004 | −0.203/−0.209 |
| Tear break up time† | −0.025/−0.023 | 0.122/0.085 | 0.018/0.035 |
| Corneal staining† | 0.137/0.162 | 0.184/0.249 | 0.064/0.026 |
| Schirmer’s test† | 0.404*/0.432* | −0.101/−0.130 | 0.093/0.161 |
| Meibum quality† | −0.182/−0.178 | −0.329*/−0.285 | 0.195/0.134 |
| Eyelid vascularity† | −0.274*/−0.357* | −0.340*/−0.278 | 0.116/0.047 |
|
| |||
| Corneal sensitivity | |||
|
| |||
| Detection threshold† | 0.092/0.073 | −0.118/−0.056 | −0.048/−0.013 |
| Pain threshold† | −0.123/−0.147 | −0.322*/−0.268 | 0.071/0.005 |
| Pain minus detection threshold† | −0.162/−0.290* | −0.303/−0.310* | 0.092/0.111 |
NRS=numerical rating scale, average ocular pain intensity, 1 week recall; NPSI-Eye=neuropathic pain symptom inventory modified for the eye;
*
p value <0.05;
†
Analysis performed on value from right eye as functional slit lamp imaging was performed on right eye.