Abstract

Aim of study: To analyze the meibomian gland(MG) function in patients on antiglaucoma medication(AGM) for ≥3 months & compare it against age-matched control group without AGM.
Materials and methods: In this prospective observational study, primary open angle glaucoma patients(POAG),on ≥1 AGMs for ≥3 months, without any change in therapy were included. Dry eye evaluation; Slit lamp examination for TBUT. Lipiview: MG drop-out, lipid layer thickness (LLT) noted.
Results: TBUT <10 in 18.1% & fluorescein staining in 11.1%.MG dropout in 68 eyes(68%), of which upto 25% dropout in 56.4%(p<0.001). Meiboscore <33% was noted in 52.1%, & LLT<64 nm in 31.9%. Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors(CAIs) were the most common AGM(68.1%). Patients on PGAs, 66.7% had TBUT>10 (p 0.001%)&87.1% had MG drop out 50% (p 0.009%). In the CAI group, 89%-TBUT>10(p 0.009%).
Conclusion: Topical AGMs observed to affect MG drop-out,TBUT & LLT. This could point towards a lipid deficient dry eye in patients on AGM.