Dry Eyes and Glaucoma: A Report of Sixty Eyes

Introduction: Glaucoma is an optic neuropathy defined by optic disc cupping, characteristic visual field defects, and often an increase in intraocular pressure. It remains a leading cause of irreversible blindness, with an estimated 60.5 million people affected worldwide. It is a chronic disease that frequently requires long-term treatment with topical ocular hypotensive eyedrops. The use of antiglaucoma medications has been associated with dry eye. Another reason for the correlation between glaucoma and dry eyes, is that prevalence for both increases with age. Patients and methods: Sixty eyes of 30 patients with medically treated primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) were included in this study. Dry eye syndrome was searched with Schirmer test (less than 10 mm in 5 minutes) and tear break-up time (BUT: less than 10 seconds). Results: Forty-eight eyes medically treated primary open-angle glaucoma (80%) present dry eye syndrome, this is consistent with previously published literature. All the POAG patients with dry eyes, were medically treated with preserved glaucoma eye drop. They were compliant to their treatment, thinking their vision is blurry because their glaucoma is getting worse and they’re dealing with what they think is irreversible. After solving the dry eye syndrome, we effect a control of the Visual Field test, we can say that dry eye’s treatment can significantly improve reliability and visual field index of glaucoma patients undergoing visual field examination. Conclusion: this study shows that dry eye syndrome associated with glaucoma might lead to ocular discomfort and low-quality retinal images which can decreased compliance of treatment, and deteriorate the Visual field test results. Protecting the integrity of the ocular surface while treating ocular conditions like glaucoma is necessary.