title: Comparison of the long-term effects of various topical antiglaucoma medications on meibomian glands.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the effects of long-term antiglaucoma eye drop treatment on meibomian glands.
  
  
  METHODS
  The subjects were 71 eyes of 71 glaucoma patients (group 1) receiving one type of antiglaucoma eye drops, 61 eyes of 61 glaucoma patients (group 2) receiving two types of antiglaucoma eye drops, and 30 eyes of 30 glaucoma patients (group 3) receiving three types of antiglaucoma eye drops. Controls comprised 75 eyes of 75 healthy volunteers. Subjective symptoms were evaluated by questionnaire, and lid margin and superficial punctate keratopathy were evaluated by slit lamp examination. Meibomian glands of upper and lower eyelids were observed and scored using noncontact meibography (meiboscore). Tear film break-up time (BUT) was measured and meibum was graded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Lid margin abnormality, superficial punctate keratopathy, meiboscore, and meibum scores were significantly higher in glaucoma patients than in controls (P < 0.001). BUT and Schirmer scores were significantly lower in glaucoma patients than in controls (P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis of the parameters in group 1 revealed no significant difference between patients receiving prostaglandin and those receiving β-blockers, or among groups 1, 2, and 3. Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that meiboscore significantly correlated with lid margin abnormality score (P = 0.007) and BUT (P = 0.045) in group 1; with BUT (P = 0.004), symptom score (P = 0.003), and age (P = 0.026) in group 2; and with lid margin abnormality score (P = 0.001) in group 3.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Long-term use of antiglaucoma eye drops was associated with alterations in meibomian gland morphology and function.
authors.affiliation: Itoh Clinic, Saitama, Japan.
authors.forename: Reiko
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Arita
authors.forename: Kouzo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Itoh
authors.forename: Shuji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maeda
authors.forename: Koshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Maeda
authors.forename: Ayumu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Furuta
authors.forename: Atsuo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tomidokoro
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aihara
authors.forename: Shiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Amano
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002257:Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005141:Eyelid Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D057066:Low Tension Glaucoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008537:Meibomian Glands / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic / Q000009:adverse effects; D011859:Radiography; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013666:Tears / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D002257:Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic