Auxiliary Data as Surrogates for Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation Model Version 2 Risk Calculator Inputs: Design and Methodology of the Frauenherzen Study in Apparently Healthy Women Aged 40-69 Yea

Corneal abrasion is a frequently encountered ophthalmic injury in which the outer layer of the corneal epithelium is damaged. These injuries can occur due to foreign bodies, chemical exposure or surgeries like photorefractive keratectomy (PRK)[]. Corneal abrasions are known to cause photoallodyna (photophobia), foreign body sensation, and severe pain[]. Despite the clear health burden[], the precise pathology and molecular mechanisms that mediate the responses to corneal injury are not fully understood. Our current study explored the role of melanopsin in the ocular pain caused by corneal abrasion. Melanopsin, a photosensitive, G-protein coupled receptor belonging to the opsin family[], is best known for being expressed in intrinsically photosensitive retina ganglion cells (ipRGCs) where it contributes to the regulation of both circadian rhythms and the central pupillary light reflex (PLR)[]. Recent studies have found that melanopsin has a wide range of functions and is expressed in several tissues beyond the retina[, ], including in melanocytes [] and vascular smooth muscle[, ], and has a demonstrated role in melanogenesis, vasorelaxation, and vascular development[]. In the iris, melanopsin is expressed in the constrictor muscle in the mouse[, ], although these studies show melanopsin labeling outside of the constrictor muscle as well. Melanopsin can also travel to the iris via ipRGCs that project to the ciliary body[], or within the trigeminal ganglion (TG) neurons that project to both the ciliary body and iris proper[]. Melanopsin is expressed in multiple cell types that are found in the iris, melanocytes, smooth muscle and nerves. Recent studies have suggested a role for melanopsin in ocular sensory mechanisms. Matynia . (2015) found that melanopsin knockout mice have reduced photosensitivity and mechanosensitivity after corneal injury, when compared to wild type mice[]. Melanopsin has also been detected in the TG sensory neurons[] and within nerves in the corneal epithelium[], although it’s specific roles in sensory mechanisms are unknown. This highlights the potential role of melanopsin in mediating pain or photoallodynia after corneal abrasion, and the importance of understanding the role of melanopsin in individual ocular tissues.