AIM:To analyze ocular surface changes induced by topical intraocular-press(IOP)-lowering medication in primary glaucoma patients after antiglaucoma surgery.

METHODS:A case control study. Patients with primary glaucoma(primary angle-closure glaucoma and primary open angle glaucoma)who were treated by a topical IOP-lowering medication containing benzalkonium chloride(BAK)were enrolled. According to either accepted antiglaucoma surgery or not, patients were divided into group with surgery and group without surgery, indicators of ocular surface disease(OSD)were compared between the two groups. Main indicators for outcomes included tear film break-up time(TFBUT)and fluorescein staining of the cornea(punctate keratitis).

RESULTS:This study collected 39 primary glaucoma cases(72 eyes), in which there were 9 cases(14 eyes)in group with surgery and 30 cases(58 eyes)in group without surgery. There were 78% of the cases in group with surgery suffering from the OSD and 67% in group without surgery. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. In group with surgery, TFBUT abnormal rate was 50% and 14% of the cases with punctate keratitis. In group without surgery, the rates were 54% and 5% respectively, and there were no statistical differences between the two groups on the two indicators.

CONCLUSION:The probability of ocular surface damage in primary glaucoma patients with topical IOP-lowering medication to control IOP after antiglaucoma surgery is similar to that in primary glaucoma patients with topical IOP-lowering medication only.