DOI: 10.36347/sjmcr.2021.v09i12.001

Pages: 1119-1123

Ocular surface disease (OSD) and glaucoma are common comorbidities in the same patient. Thus, the long-term instillation of topical intraocular pressure lowering drops induces changes in the ocular surface. For this, we have realized a cross-sectional study of 52 patients, collected at the ophthalmology department of the Hassan II University Hospital Center at Fez, Morocco. We have included all patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertonia on hypotonizing treatment for at least 06 months. They have answered the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) after their consent. All patients have been then examined with a slit lamp by the same ophthalmologist to assess the severity of the OSD. A total of 101 eyes from 52 patients were analyzed. Thirty-six (69%) patients treated with hypotonizing eye drops required multitherapy. Only nine (17%) patients were on preservative-free eye drops. The average OSDI score was 32.4/100 (0—82.5). According to clinical classification, 27 (52%) patients had severe OSD. This study confirms the high frequency of the OSD in patients medically treated for glaucoma or ocular hypertonia. Damage on the ocular surface is responsible for disabling symptoms that can affect both the quality of life of patients and adherence to the treatment. Thus, any ophthalmologist should systematically include the evaluation of the ocular surface in glaucomatous patients.