The Effect of Preserved Anti-glaucoma Eye-drops on Goblet Cells and the Expression of Pro-inflammatory Markers.

Abstract

Purpose : The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of preserved anti-glaucoma eye drops on the ocular surface, especially goblet cells and the expression of pro-inflammatory markers.

Methods : Twenty-nine glaucoma patients (17 men and 12 women) were recruited for this study. The mean age was 71.52 years with a standard deviation of 13.66 years. Eight eyes without any glaucoma treatment were included in the control group, 26 eyes treated with different preserved anti-glaucomatous drops were included in the treated group and 13 eyes with glaucoma surgery were included in the operated group. All subjects were over 18 years of age and signed informed consent forms. A number of tests were applied and evaluated: The Schirmer test, non-invasive tear breakup time, conjunctival hyperemia, ocular surface disease index (OSDI), impression cytology analyzing Goblet density, Mucin cloud height (MCH) and cell thickness (CLT). In addition, ADORA2A, CD73 and CD39 expression levels were studied using quantitative real-time PCR.

Results : No comparative differences in Goblet cell density and MCH were found in any of the three groups. However, tear volume and stability were worse in the treated group and the operated group than in the control group (p < 0.05). Higher values of conjunctival hyperemia were found in the treated group than the control and the operated group (p < 0.05). CD73 mRNA expression were twofold higher in the treated group than in the control group (p < 0.05), but there were no such differences between the control and the operated groups. However, CD39 was higher in the operated group compared with the control group (p < 0.05). No differences for ADORA2A expression were observed between the groups.

Conclusions : Preserved anti-glaucoma eye drops induces changes in the ocular surface of the patients in terms of inflammation, but does not affect the density and mucin production of Goblet cells.

This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2016 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, Wash., May 1-5, 2016.