Descriptive Study of Ocular Surface changes in Patients with Congenital Glaucoma

Abstract

 

Purpose

 

Recent studies show a relationship between POAG and lacrimal dysfunction. Several factors may lead to alteration of the ocular surface (OS) in patients with primary congenital glaucoma (PCG). The purpouse of this study is to elaborate a clinical description of the ocular surface (OS) in patients with GCP

 

Methods

 

After informed consent, 34 patients diagnosed with PCG were included in the study. Ophthalmologic examination was performed, and clinical evaluation of OS. The patients were submitted to a questionnaire to evaluate symptoms of dry eye

 

Results

 

We examined 34 patients (60 eyes) diagnosed with PCG to 17.97 ± 7.91 years. 17 patients without use of eyedrop for at least 1 year and 17 patients using eye drops, these 9 patients (64%) using 3 or more drops. The patients had chronic use of eye drops with a mean of 6.07 ± 7.56 years. All patients underwent surgery. In the interview, 18 patients (52%) complained of dry eye. On examination it was observed: IOP OD: 14.62 ± 5.72 mmHg, OS: 12.55 ± 14.16 mmHg; pachymetry: OD: 567.37 ± 87.04 μ, OS: 555.92 ± 51.76 μ; Biometry OD : 25.80 ± 4.27 mm, OS: 23.99 ± 2.31 mm. In assessing the OS resulted: Schirmer Test OD = 25.93 ± 10.44 mm, OS: 23.28 ± 11.84 mm; BUT: OD = 11.26 ± 4.50 s, OS = 11.76 ± 11.76 s , Lacrimal Meniscus: OD = 0.82 ± 1.15 mm, OE: 0.77 ± 0.93 mm, no patient had a significant positive staining Rose Bengal.

 

Conclusions

 

Despite PCG is a rare disease and this study has a heterogeneous sample, our patients expressed mild symptoms of dry eye, but without clinical signs consistent with lacrimal dysfunction. Subjective evaluation of the questionnaire is controverted in children, but other factors beyond the chronic use of eye drops, as buphthalmos, lagophthalmos and anatomic alterations from surgery, may contribute to the symptoms of the disease in this patients sample

 

 

Keywords: 486 cornea: tears/tear film/dry eye • 576 lacrimal gland • 467 clinical laboratory testing