ABSTRACT

Aim: To determine the prevalence of dry eye in glaucoma patients using topical antiglaucoma therapy with timolol combination of dorzolamide.

Study Design: Descriptive observational study

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Ophthalmology, Bolan University of Medical & Health Sciences/Helper’s Eye Hospital, Quetta from 1st July 2020 to 31st December 2020.

Methods: Seventy five patients of both genders were enrolled. Patients details demographics age, sex and body mass index were recorded after taking informed written consent. Patients using topical anti-glaucoma therapy for more than 12 months and having symptoms of stinging and burning sensations itching, watering, irritation, due to regular use of topical antiglaucoma drugs were presented in this study. Tear film break-up time test and Basal Schrimer’s test was used to measure the frequency of dry eye syndrome as mild, moderate and severe.

Results: Forty five (60%) were females and 30 (40%) were males. Mean age of the patients were 48.67±12.44 years with mean body mass index 25.14±6.33 kg/m2. Thirty seven (49.33%) patients had burning and stinging sensations, itching found in 15 (20%), watering and irritation found in 11 (14.67%) and dry eye sensations in 12 (16%) patients. Fifteen (20%) cases did not show dry eye syndrome in tear film break-up time test and in Basal Schrimer’s test 14 (18.67%) patients was normal.

Conclusion: The use of topical anti-glaucoma therapy resulted to dry eye syndrome and also affects the stability of tear film.

Keywords: Tear film break-up time, Basal Schrimer`s test, Dry eye syndrome, Antiglaucoma therapy