Evaluating Prevalence of Dry Eye in a Glaucoma Clinic at Stony Brook

Abstract

Purpose : Treatment of glaucoma (GLC), the second leading cause of irreversible blindness, is adversely impacted by dry eye disease (DED). DED occurs more frequently in GLC patients, presumably due to the higher burden of medications and preservatives used in the topical treatment of GLC. Here we look at the prevalence of DED symptoms in GLC and non-GLC patients seen in a tertiary eye care center outpatient clinic.

Methods : All study activities were done in compliance with the Stony Brook IRB. A retrospective chart review was done for patients seen on the GLC service at Stony Brook Ophthalmology between 6/8- 8/17/2023. Data recorded included age, gender, Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) responses and score, presence/absence of glaucoma, history of glaucoma surgeries/lasers, and glaucoma medications used. OSDI scores were used to categorize DED status as follows: Normal (<12), Mild (13-22), Moderate (23-32), and Severe (33-100). Data was tabulated and statistical analysis performed in Excel.

Results : 230 charts were reviewed (150 glaucoma, 80 non glaucoma, 49% female). Demographics for the groups are given in Table 1. GLC and non-GLC groups did not differ with regards to age or gender. The mean number of medications used in the GLC group was 0.8. Overall, the prevalence of DED was 33% in GLC and 35% in non-GLC groups; severe DED was present in 11% of GLC group and 9% non-GLC group (p not significant).

Increasing number of glaucoma medications and presence of prior eye surgery both showed a general trend for increased DED. Pairwise comparisons of OSDI scores between groups were not significant with the exception of two combination drops versus one single drop. (Table 1)

Conclusions : This study confirms a high prevalence of DED symptoms in both the GLC and non-GLC populations. The general trend for higher OSDI in patients using more glaucoma medications is consistent with previous reports. Attention to patient symptoms will identify those with DED who may benefit from alterations in therapy to minimize this side effect of treatment.

This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.