Posters

Comparison of the tear osmolarity levels between glaucoma patients under IOP lowering medication and healthy controls

Poster Details

First Author: J. Paz Moreno-Arrones SPAIN

Co Author(s):    M. Castejon Cervero   D. Ferrari   M. Roldan Diaz   M. Teus           

Abstract Details

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate, using different cutoff levels, the prevalence of tear film hyperosmolarity in patients suffering from glaucoma and chronically treated with topical IOP-lowering eyedrops and compare it with healthy controls.

Setting:

Service of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Principe De Asturias

Methods:

This is a cross-sectional, observational study. We recruited healthy non-glaucomatous age-matched patients (controls) with glaucoma patients under chronic treatment with topical antiglaucomatous eyedrops. Tear film osmolarity was measured with the TearLab® Osmolarity System (TearLab Corp, San Diego, CA), and the results were compared between both groups, using different cutoff levels (308, 312 and 316 mOsm/L). Patients with prior ocular surgery in the previous 12 months were excluded.

Results:

74 patients were enrolled, 24 in the glaucoma group and 50 in control group. Mean age was 66.7±11.2 vs 70.8±7.7 years respectively (p>0.05). A significantly higher mean tear film osmolarity was observed in glaucoma group: 318,16±13,05 vs 305,44±15,37 mOsm/L in glaucoma and control groups, respectively (p=0.007). Using 308 mOsm/L cutoff level, 23 patients (46%) in control group had hyperosmolar tears versus 19 patients (79%) in glaucoma group (p=0,0001). Using 312 mOsm/L cutoff level, 14 patients (28%) were classified as hyperosmolars in the control group versus 16 patients (66,6%) in glaucoma group (p=0,0001). Finally, using 316 mOsm/L cutoff level, 8 patients (16%) in the control group had hyperosmolar tears versus 14 patients (58,3%) in glaucoma group (p=0,0002).

Conclusions:

Patients chronically treated with IOP-lowering medications exhibit tear film hyperosmolarity in comparison with a healthy control group.

Financial Disclosure:

NONE