Effect of Topical Antiglaucoma Drugs on Tear Film in Human Eyes

Objective(s): Evaluate the effect of topical antiglaucoma drugs on tear film and determine the time taken to develop symptoms and or signs of dry eye in diagnosed open angle glaucoma patients by Schirmer's test I, Schirmer's test II, Tear film break up time. Method(s): This prospective study was carried out in 60 patients attending Ophthalmology outdoor with newly diagnosed patients of primary open angle glaucoma by using Schirmer's test I, Schirmer's test II, Tear film break up time.These 60 cases were divided into 2 groups:Group I: 30 cases were given 0.5% timolol drops twice a day and Group II: 30 cases were given 0.005% latanoprost drops once a day. Result(s): The tear film changes were greater in patients treated with timolol than with latanoprost. There were 11(36.7%) patients in timolol group and 3(10%) patients in latanoprost group which had developed dry eye at the end of the study period. Conclusion(s): Thus it is concluded that tear film changes are seen in significant number of patients of primary open angle glaucoma at the end of 90 days follow up with both topical antiglaucoma drugs timolol and latanoprost therapy more so with timolol. These changes in the tear film were directly related to the duration of treatment.