Eyedrops and Glaucoma - a new study supports clinical observations
Antihypertensive Eyedrops Trigger Dry Eye Disease, Corneal Damage
September 19, 2023
https://www.ophthalmologyadvisor.com/topics/cornea-ocular-surface/antihypertensive-eyedrops-trigger-dry-eye-disease-corneal-damage/
This study supports the common clinical findings many dry eye doctors see in their clinics on a daily basis - and which have been demonstrated and validated by earlier studies. THE LAST THING I WANT TO DO IS BASH THE USE OF DROPS TO CONTROL GLAUCOMA. I’ve published on this before https://www.eyethera.com/blog/jwk8lv0558b5ewcp7cxummr7pusblv and https://www.eyethera.com/blog/dry-eye-cataract-and-glaucoma-segment
I think it is important when studies like this are published, to point out that glaucoma is a potentially blinding disease and that dry eye is much less likely to result in blindness. Job number one is to prevent blindness and I routinely prescribe drops to treat glaucoma. Fortunately, SLT (laser) and Durysta implants are often a good way to avoid glaucoma medication and when we have to turn to drops, increasing numbers of “preservative free” drops are now available to reduce the negative impact of these drops. Various operations exist to also reduce dependence on drops (It was interesting to read in this same study, that substituting surgery for drops did not significantly reduce the dry eye impact - but this might be predicted knowing that surgery promotes inflammation as part of the healing process and requires frequent use of topical steroids, antibiotics and other medications that fight inflammation at the expense of adding preservatives and other chemicals to the surface of that operated eye).
I find that many glaucoma patients received relief from the burden added by glaucoma drops, by increasing the amount and quality of their tears, using the protocols I’ve commonly used for that purpose. It makes sense to me that patients with robust surface health - largely thanks to having excellent tears - will tolerate their glaucoma drops better than those who have poor quality tears and an already disrupted, damaged ocular surface. I would urge any patients who require daily topical medication (like glaucoma patients on glaucoma drops) to get a good dry eye evaluation and institute any recommended treatment at the same time they begin their eyedrop treatments.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Jaccoma, call Excellent Vision at either of these two dry eye offices:
(1) 155 Griffin Rd, Portsmouth, NH 03801 (603) 574-2020
(2) 3 Woodland Rd, STE 112 Stoneham, MA 02180 (near Boston) (781) 321-6463