Abstract

Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of ocular surface disease symptoms and the state of the tear film among patients with glaucoma who are receiving topical intraocular pressure lowering therapy.
Methods: The Prospective observational cohort study was conducted in a Tertiary Hospital and Research Centre in Western Maharashtra from September 2020 to October 2022. 78 Patients (156 eyes) attending Ophthalmology OPD in a Tertiary Hospital and Research Centre in Western Maharashtra were included in the study.
Results: Majority of the patients in our study were males (67.9%), while 32.1% were females. Majority of the patients were in the 35-45 age group followed by >55 age group. The mean Intraocular pressure in the right and left eye was 27.4 mm Hg before the medication. The mean Schirmer 1 test scores in the right and left eye were 16.8 mm before the medication. The mean Schirmer 2 test scores in the right and left eye were 15.7 mm & 15.5 mm, respectively, before the medication. All patients had normal TBUT time in both right and left eye (>10 seconds). All patients had intact corneal sensation in right and left eye. Post-medication, the schirmer 1 was reduced in 66.7% of the patients, increased in 11.5% and remained same in 21.8% of the patients in right eye and left eye. Post-medication, the schirmer 2 was reduced in 66.7% of the patients, increased in 11.5% and remained same in 21.8% of the patients in right eye and left eye. TBUT was found abnormal among 7.7% of the patients in either eye, at 6 months after the anti-glaucoma medications.
Conclusion: Anti-glaucoma medication (E/D Timolol 0.5%) twice a day for a period of 6 months had significantly reduced TBUT, Schirmer-1 and Schirmer-2 among the glaucoma patients in our settings. Reduced corneal sensitivity has been noted in few patients. Anti-glaucoma medication had led to dry eye symptoms with severity ranging from moderate to severe in majority of the patients