title: Effects of topical antiglaucoma application on conjunctival impression cytology specimens.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the changes in conjunctival impression cytology specimens from patients receiving various topical antiglaucoma medications.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional comparative study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Impression cytology specimens were obtained from the eyes taking no topical medication (n = 20) and from the eyes taking various antiglaucoma medications (timolol n = 34; latanoprost n = 40; dorzolamide n = 32; timolol + latanoprost n = 30; timolol + dorzolamide n = 34). Specimens were graded on a scale of zero to three according to Nelson's method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cytology scores were significantly higher in the medication group than the control group. Mean cytology scores of the control, timolol, latanoprost, dorzolamide, timolol + latanoprost, and timolol + dorzolamide group were 0.20, 1.62, 2.00, 1.75, 2.13, and 2.44, respectively. Among the medication groups, cytology scores were significantly lower in the monotherapy group than the fixed-combination therapy group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Various topical antiglaucoma medications induce a significant degree of squamous metaplasia. Conjunctival surface could be altered after the long-term use of antiglaucoma medication.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Samin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Christopher Seungkyu
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Kyoung Yul
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.forename: Gong Je
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Seong
authors.forename: Young Jae
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Hong
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004848:Epithelium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000469:parasitology; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077338:Latanoprost; D008679:Metaplasia; D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013876:Thiophenes / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013999:Timolol / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic; D013449:Sulfonamides; D013876:Thiophenes; D000077338:Latanoprost; D013999:Timolol; C062765:dorzolamide