Ocular surface changes following oral anticholinergic use for overactive bladder.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Pharmacology
• Urology

Background:

• Overactive bladder (OAB) affects a significant population, with anticholinergic medications like solifenacin succinate being a common treatment.
• Ocular surface health is crucial, and potential side effects of systemic medications on the eyes warrant investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of oral solifenacin succinate on objective measures of ocular surface health, including Schirmer I test and tear break-up time (TBUT).
• To assess subjective ocular surface symptoms using the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) in OAB patients treated with solifenacin succinate.
• To compare these effects with a healthy control group.

Main Methods:

• A study involving 80 female OAB patients on solifenacin succinate (5 mg/day) and 40 healthy female controls.
• Ophthalmological examinations including Schirmer I test and TBUT were performed at baseline and after 4 weeks of treatment.
• The OSDI questionnaire was administered to assess ocular surface disease severity.

Main Results:

• No statistically significant changes were observed in Schirmer I test results or TBUT in either the OAB patient group or the control group after 4 weeks.
• OSDI scores significantly increased in the OAB patient group (p=0.020), suggesting a worsening of ocular surface symptoms.
• OSDI scores remained stable in the healthy control group (p=0.805).

Conclusions:

• Short-term treatment with oral solifenacin succinate does not appear to affect objective tear production or tear film stability.
• However, solifenacin succinate treatment may exacerbate subjective ocular surface symptoms, as indicated by increased OSDI scores in OAB patients.
• Further research with larger cohorts is needed to confirm the clinical significance of these findings.