Prevalence of ocular surface complaints in patients with glaucoma using topical intraocular pressure-lowering medications.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of ocular surface disease (OSD) in patients with glaucoma using topical intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering therapy.


METHODS
This prospective observational study enrolled patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension who were on a topical IOP-lowering medication regimen. Enrolled patients completed the ocular surface disease index (OSDI) and OSDI scores (0-100, with 0 representing no symptoms) were calculated for each patient. Medical history, demographics, and concomitant medication information were also collected.


RESULTS
Overall, 630 patients from 10 sites participated. Of these, 305 patients (48.4%) had an OSDI score indicating either mild (n = 134, 21.3%), moderate (n = 84, 13.3%), or severe (n = 87, 13.8%) OSD symptoms. OSDI scores were significantly different between patients with and without a prior diagnosis of dry eye syndrome (25.2 +/- 15.4 vs 15.4 +/- 15.8, respectively; P = 0.0036) and between patients who did and did not use artificial tears at the time of study participation (23.0 +/- 15.6 vs 15.3 +/- 15.8, respectively; P = 0.0046). Mean OSDI scores varied significantly with the number of topical IOP-lowering medications used, with higher (more severe) OSDI scores in patients using multiple IOP-lowering medications. Specifically, patients on a single medication had a mean OSDI score of 12.9 +/- 13.1, which was significantly lower than those of patients on 2 (16.7 +/- 17.0; P = 0.007) or 3 medications (19.4 +/- 18.1; P = 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
OSD is prevalent among medically treated patients with glaucoma. The severity of OSD symptoms is positively correlated to the number of IOP-lowering medications used.
Fechtner
Robert D
RD
Department of Ophthalmology, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA.
Godfrey
David G
DG
Budenz
Donald
D
Stewart
Jeanette A
JA
Stewart
William C
WC
Jasek
Mark C
MC
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000368:Aged; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions