Study Of Prevalence Of Dry Eye In Patients Using Timolol Eye Drops For Primary Open Angle Glaucoma

Abstract

AIM: The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of dry eye in patients who are being treated with timolol eye drops for primary open angle glaucoma.MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 50 patients who were diagnosed with POAG and being treated with timolol eye drops for 6 months or more, coming to the Department of Ophthalmology between July 2019 and December 2019 were evaluated in the study. Other than the routine Ophthalmic examinations, TBUT and Schirmer’s test were performed.RESULTS:Of the 50 patients examined, Schirmer’s test was abnormal in 54% of the patients in the right eye and 52% of the patients in the left eye.42% of the examined patients had abnormal TBUT in right eye and 44% of the examinedpatients had abnormal TBUT in the left eye. CONCLUSION:Conclusion of the study is that,long term use of Timololaffects the tear film functions to varying extents. This can be due to multiple factors and it could be because of thedrug itself or the preservative used in it or it could be both. Due to the complications that can happen because of dry eye, it is important to keep in mind the long-term side-effects of these drugs even when obvious symptoms are absent. The outcome of further surgeries which may need to be performed may also be affected by dry eye.