Anti-glaucoma eye drops linked to meibomian gland changes

The long-term use of anti-glaucoma eye drops is linked to changes in meibomian gland morphology and function, according to a paper published in the journal Cornea.

Dr Reiko Arita et al., Department of Ophthalmology, University of Tokyo School of Medicine, Tokyo, studied 71 eyes of 71 glaucoma patients who were administered one type of anti-glaucoma eye drops (group 1), 61 eyes of 61 glaucoma patients (group 2) receiving two types of anti-glaucoma eye drops and 30 eyes of 30 glaucoma patients (group 3) receiving three types of anti-glaucoma eye drops. There was also a control group consisting of 75 eyes of 75 healthy participants.

Noncontact meibography was used to observe and score the meibomian glands of upper and lower eyelids. Slit lamp examination was used to evaluate lid margin and superficial punctate keratopathy, whilst a questionnaire was used to evaluate subjective symptoms. Tear film break-up time (TBUT) was assessed, along with meibum.

Glaucoma patients demonstrated significantly higher lid margin abnormality, superficial punctate keratopathy, meiboscore and meibum scores, compared to control participants. TBUT and Schirmer scores were significantly lower for glaucoma patients, compared to the control group.

It was found that meiboscore significantly correlated with lid margin abnormality score and TBUT in group 1, TBUT, symptom score and age in group 2 and lid margin abnormality score only in group 3.

For the abstract please click here.