Corneal Sensitivity

The cornea is the most densely innervated structure in the body. Corneal nerves mediate sensations of touch, pain, and temperature and are essential for maintaining ocular surface health through the regulation of tear production, blink reflexes, and epithelial repair.

Model Overview

Corneal nerve loss or dysfunction is frequently observed in diseases that lead to corneal opacity and vision loss. These include injury, surgical procedures, microbial infections, diabetes mellitus, and dry eye disease.

Corneal innervation can be evaluated for both function and morphology using standard instruments such as a corneal esthesiometer and β-III tubulin nerve staining.

Typical Endpoints

  • Corneal mechanical sensitivity (esthesiometry)
  • Tear production (e.g. Schirmer’s test)
  • Nerve density and branching (β-III tubulin staining)
  • Correlation with epithelial healing or surface staining
  • Evaluation of nerve damage and regeneration

Representative Data

Sub-basal corneal nerve imaging showing automated quantification of nerve length and density
Quantification of corneal mechanical sensitivity using a Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer, with and without topical sedation

Top: Confocal imaging of sub-basal corneal nerves with automated quantification of total nerve length and density
Bottom: Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometry showing reduced corneal sensation under topical sedation

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