Prevalence of dry eye in patients using topical antiglaucoma medications

Abstract

Aim: Topical antiglaucoma drugs may have adverse effects on the ocular surface. In this study, our aim was to report the frequency of dry eye and the use of artificial tear drops in patients diagnosed with glaucoma and using topical antiglaucoma drugs. We also evaluated factors affecting this association. Methods: Based on the medical records, we selected patients admitted to the ophthalmology department between 2020 and 2021 who had been diagnosed with glaucoma. In this study, we included patients who were using topical antiglaucoma medications and were older than 40 years of age. Age, gender, type, and number of glaucoma medications used, dry eye diagnosis, and use of artificial tear drops and/or topical cyclosporine were recorded. Results: We found that 346 (27%) of the 1,274 patients using topical antiglaucoma drugs had dry eyes and were using artificial tear drops. Gender (female) and the number of antiglaucoma medications used were associated with an increased risk of dry eye in these patients, while increasing age was not associated with dry eye. Conclusion: Dry eye is common in patients using topical antiglaucoma medications and should be considered in the treatment of glaucoma.