Ocular Surface Assessment in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Sleep Medicine
• Ocular Surface Disease

Background:

• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common condition affecting systemic health.
• Ocular surface disorders, including dry eye, meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), and conjunctivochalasis, are increasingly recognized in patients with OSA.
• Understanding the prevalence of these conditions in OSA patients is crucial for comprehensive patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the prevalence of dry eye, MGD, and conjunctivochalasis in patients diagnosed with OSA.
• To compare ocular surface parameters between patients with OSA and a control group.

Main Methods:

• Included 37 patients with OSA and 31 healthy controls.
• Conducted comprehensive ophthalmic examinations and ocular surface assessments.
• Utilized meibography for MGD assessment and anterior segment optical coherence tomography for tear meniscus height measurement.

Main Results:

• The mean tear break-up time (TBUT) was significantly lower in the OSA group (8.17 ± 3.70) compared to controls (11.47 ± 4.52, P < 0.001).
• Meibomian gland expression, plugging, lid margin telangiectasia, meiboscores, tear meniscus height, and conjunctivochalasis grading scores were similar between OSA and control groups.
• No significant differences were found in MGD or conjunctivochalasis prevalence between the groups.

Conclusions:

• Patients with OSA exhibit reduced TBUT, suggesting an increased susceptibility to dry eye.
• Despite decreased TBUT, the prevalence of MGD and conjunctivochalasis is not significantly higher in patients with OSA compared to controls.
• Further research may explore the specific mechanisms linking OSA to dry eye symptoms and investigate targeted interventions.