Ocular surface disease and glaucoma

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The purpose of this review is to consider one downside of topical hypotensive medications. Visual loss can be incapacitating, before subjecting a person to potentially damaging effects of topical medications it is appropriate to be as certain as possible that treatment is actually needed.

Areas covered: Research discusses the relationship between ocular surface disease (OSD) and its association with chronic use of glaucoma medication. Studies OSD as a medication-related morbidity, impact on patients’ quality of life, reviews preservative-free glaucoma medication, and OSD treatment. Research includes articles obtained from the keywords dry eye, OSD and glaucoma, preservatives and topical hypotensives, OSD and glaucoma surgery in Medline/PubMed, EMBASE, and Google Scholar.

Experts commentary: Glaucoma patients under chronic topical hypotensive treatment with OSD symptoms should be adequately evaluated and receive optimal and timely therapy; offering safe administration of glaucoma treatment, resulting in more comfortable patients, greater adherence, and fewer failed surgical procedures.

KEYWORDS:

• Ocular surface disease
• glaucoma and ocular surface disease
• benzalchonium chloride
• preserved-glaucoma medication
• preservative-free glaucoma medication

Declaration of interests

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.