To Study Ocular Surface Morbidities among Glaucoma Patients on Anti-glaucoma Drops

Abstract

BACKGROUND – Glaucoma is a chronic, lifelong disease and it requires lifelong therapy as well. Topical anti-glaucoma drugs are often associated with symptoms and sign of toxicity. OBJECTIVE – We aimed to study the incidence, symptoms and signs of ocular surface disease among patients on different anti-glaucoma drops and control group and to compare effects of mono and combination therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS – In this control study, 105 patients on anti-glaucoma drops for at least 3 months who presented to us were examined and compared to 102 patients of glaucoma not on anti-glaucoma drops. OBSERVATION/RESULT – Mean age was 56.2 years with male to female ratio 1.25:1. 83.09% of the patients had primary glaucoma with PNAG being the most common diagnosis. DOV, redness and pain being the most common presenting complaint in study group. In both groups on the application of different dry eye test, there was an increased incidence of abnormal OSDI, corneal assessment, TBUT and Schirmer’s test in study group. The difference in incidence of abnormal OSDI, corneal assessment, TBUT and Schirmer’s test was insignificant in mono therapy and combination therapy groups. CONCLUSION – there is higher incidence of ocular surface disease among patients on anti-glaucoma drops and the most commonly encountered problem is reduced tear film stability. Preservative free and combination drops, along with lubricant use, are found to reduce ocular surface toxicity.