2M.D., Sivas State Hospital Eye Clinic, Sivas/TURKEY
3M.D. Asistant, Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Ankara/TURKEY
4M.D. Professor, Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Ankara/TURKEY Purpose: To evaluate the impact of prostaglandin analogs (PGA) on corneal sensitivity, ocular surface changes and the quality of life (QOL) in glaucoma patients.
Materials and Methods: 51 primary open angle glaucoma patients were included in the study. Patients were divided into three groups according to types of PGA used (G1: latanoprost, G2: travoprost, G3: bimatoprost group). 20 healty subjects were taken as healthy controls (G4). Each patient completed an Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire and objective ocular surface tests were applied (Schirmer test (mm), central corneal mechanic sensitivity (CCMS), tear break-up time (TBUT), corneal and conjunctival fluorescein staining). Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare differences among groups.
Results: OSDI scores were comparable in G1, G2 and G3 and these were significantly different from that of controls (G4). 40% of G1, 68% of G2 and 73% of G3 had mild to moderate OSDI scores but it was normal in G4. TBUT, Schirmer's test and corneal and conjunctival staining scores were comparable among groups. Corneal sensitivity was also comparable among all treatment groups but it was significantly reduced in travoprost group (G2) when compared with that of controls (G4).
Conclusions: All PGAs have similar effects on ocular surface parameters. On the other hand, they seem to effect the QOL significantly compared with that of healthy controls. However, this finding might also be related to the emotional status of the glaucoma patients.
Keywords : Glaucoma, prostaglandin analogue, quality of life, ocular surface disease index aeshesiometer