title: Investigation of limbal touch sensitivity using a Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometer.
abstract: Following the observation of complex sensory receptors concentrated within the palisade zone of the human conjunctiva, this study sought to measure limbal touch sensitivity using a Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometer. Touch sensitivity was found to be significantly higher in the palisade zone compared with the adjacent conjunctiva. A comparison between temporal and inferior limbus showed a greater median sensitivity for the temporal zone. There was a significant reduction in touch sensitivity with age, but not with iris colour or contact lens wear. These data, showing a higher touch sensitivity for the palisade zone, provide indirect evidence for a role of complex nerve endings in mechanoreception.
authors.affiliation: Department of Optometry and Visual Science, City University, London.
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Lawrenson
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Ruskell
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D003261:Contact Lenses; D005127:Eye Color / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016850:Limbus Corneae / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000294:innervation*; D008297:Male; D008465:Mechanoreceptors / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000502:physiology; D014110:Touch / Q000502:physiology*