Relationship between OSDI questionnaire and ocular surface changes in glaucomatous patients

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Quality of Life Research

Background:

• Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide.
• Ocular surface disease is a common comorbidity in glaucoma patients, potentially impacting their quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the quality of life in glaucoma patients using the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI).
• To investigate the association between OSDI scores and clinical signs of dry eye in glaucoma patients.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 209 participants categorized into treated glaucoma, surgically treated glaucoma, and control groups.
• Evaluation of dry eye clinical signs including noninvasive tear break-up time, Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), and conjunctival hyperemia using Keratograph 5M.
• The Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) was administered, with total scores (T-OSDI) divided into visual field-OSDI and discomfort-OSDI subscores.

Main Results:

• Glaucoma patients (treated and surgical) exhibited significantly higher T-OSDI scores compared to controls.
• T-OSDI scores correlated significantly with Schirmer test results, ocular surface staining, and MGD.
• In treated glaucoma patients, the frequency of topical medication use was associated with higher T-OSDI and subscores.

Conclusions:

• Glaucoma patients experience a diminished quality of life, reflected in elevated OSDI scores, compared to healthy individuals.
• OSDI scores are significantly associated with objective clinical signs of dry eye disease in glaucoma patients.
• Topical glaucoma medication burden correlates with reduced quality of life in treated glaucoma patients.