5‐year Incidence of Lubricant Dependence in Medically and Surgically Treated Glaucoma Patients

Abstract

PurposeChronic use of intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering medications is associated with ocular surface disease. Glaucoma surgery has also been associated with ocular surface disturbances. In this study we assess the incidence of topical lubricant use in glaucoma patients who are medically controlled or who have had glaucoma surgery over 5 years of followup.MethodsRetrospective chart review was performed for patients on medications for primary open angle glaucoma. Some of these patients required subsequent glaucoma surgery. Primary outcome measure was the incidence and onset of topical lubricant use in these patients.Results505 cases patients with POAG were reviewed. Mean age was 63.9 years (SD: 11.1) and 42.8% were women. 122 of these patients required a MMC‐augmented phacotrabeculectomy (n = 97) or trabeculectomy (n = 25) over the course of followup. 5‐year incidence of lubricant use was 39% in glaucoma subjects. Females were more likely to use topical lubricants (p < 0.01). Incidence of lubricant use increased from 21.3% preoperatively to 71.3% postoperatively in subjects who subsequently underwent trabeculectomy or phacotrabeculectomy.ConclusionsGlaucoma medications, surgery and female gender are predisposing factors for ocular lubricant use. Notably MMC‐augmented trabeculectomy and phaco‐trabeculectomy increased the need for topical lubricants by more than threefold.