Fibromyalgia syndrome and the eye-A review

Abstract

Fibromyalgia is a chronic, widespread pain syndrome of unclear etiology characterized by fatigue, sleeping problems, cognitive disorders, somatic complaints, and severe pain in parts of the body at the time of physical activity, with no laboratory findings specific to the disease or diagnostic tests. Fibromyalgia can be associated with ocular symptoms (foreign body sensation, irritation) and visual disturbances (blurred vision), coexisting with dry eye syndrome and reduced corneal sensitivity. Cases of scleritis, including the necrotizing form, accompanying fibromyalgia have been reported. Changes in the eye may contribute to the pathogenesis of fibromyalgia. Research shows the choroid to be significantly thinner in patients with fibromyalgia, revealing changes in optic disc perfusion and a decreased retinal nerve fiber layer thickness. There are also thin corneal stromal nerves with diminished sub-basal plexus nerve density. Pathological changes and functional abnormalities of small nerve fibers are observed in patients with fibromyalgia. Corneal confocal bio-microscopy is a new noninvasive method to evaluate small nerve fiber morphology, serving as an alternative for skin biopsies, and reveals new possibilities in diagnostics and finding innovative therapies for this disease. Fibromyalgia remains a challenge for ophthalmologists, and further studies are required to evaluate ocular involvement. It may be that future diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia will contain ophthalmic examination modalities. Observed ocular changes and their pathomechanisms may constitute new targets for therapy to improve the quality of life of patients with fibromyalgia.

Keywords: confocal microscopy; dry eye syndrome; dryness of the eye; fibromyalgia; neuropathic pain syndrome; scleritis.