Aim and Objective: To evaluate the prevalence and severity of dry eye in patients diagnosed with glaucoma and to investigate the correlation between glaucoma severity and the presence and severity of dry eye symptoms. Material and Methods: A prospective study of enrolled consecutive topically treated glaucoma patients. Sample size taken was 60. Patients who presented with ocular or systemic disorders that would affect the state of the ocular surface were not accepted. The tests for dry eye disease included the tear meniscus height (TMH), Schirmer I and II, and tear breakup time (TBUT). Results and Discussion: Of the sixty individuals in our study, 40 had abnormal TMH in their left eye and 40 had abnormal TMH in their right eye. In the right eye, 49 participants demonstrated abnormal Schirmer I, while in the left eye, 44 subjects had abnormal Schirmer I. Since there exists 78% of samples having abnormal right eye and 68% in the left eye, our research leads us to conclude that anti-glaucoma medications alter the ocular surface, which in turn promotes dry eyes. These results suggest that, in order to reduce the negative effects of anti-glaucoma eye drops on the ocular surface, preservative-free regimens or tear substitutes should be used. Conclusion: Patients using topical anti-glaucoma drugs containing preservatives have a higher risk of developing dry eye, accounting for 84.49% of cases.

Dry eye, Glaucoma, Tear breakup time, Anti glaucoma drugs.