title: Evaluation of Ocular Surface Health in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate ocular surface health in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and to investigate the tendency of these patients toward dry eyes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty patients who underwent polysomnography and were diagnosed with OSAS and 50 normal control subjects were compared with respect to ocular surface disease index (OSDI), Schirmer I test and tear film break-up time (TBUT) values.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients were grouped as mild (n=15, 30%), moderate (n=15, 30%) and severe (n=20, 40%) according to apnea-hypopnea index values. The right eyes of patients were included in both groups. OSDI values were as follows: control group, 18.7±8.5; mild OSAS group, 40.2±2.8; moderate OSAS group, 48.5±2.2 and severe OSAS group, 62.7±2.3 (p<0.001). TBUT values were as follows: control group, 12.3±4.9; mild OSAS group, 8.2±4.7; moderate OSAS group, 5.8±2.1 and severe OSAS group, 4.2±3.7 (p<0.001). Schirmer values were as follows: control group, 18±6.1 mm; mild OSAS group, 12.9±6.7 mm; moderate OSAS group, 8.5±5.2 mm and severe OSAS group, 7.9±4.7 mm (p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with OSAS seem to have a tendency toward dry eyes. Clinicians should be aware of dry eye development in these patients.
authors: Sorgun State Hospital, Ophthalmology Clinic, Yozgat, Turkey.
authors: Emine Esra
authors: EE
authors: Karaca
authors: Çankırı State Hospital, Ophthalmology Clinic, Çankırı, Turkey.
authors: Hanife Tuba
authors: HT
authors: Akçam
authors: Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Rize, Turkey.
authors: Feyzahan
authors: F
authors: Uzun
authors: Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Şengül
authors: Ş
authors: Özdek
authors: Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Tansu
authors: T
authors: Ulukavak Çiftçi
keywords: Dry eye; obstructive sleep apnea syndrome; ocular surface health