Effect of Topical Antiglaucoma Drugs on Corneal Thickness

Purpose: To study the effect of topical antiglaucoma drugs on corneal thickness. Material and Methods: A total of 108 eyes of 60 glaucoma patients who used topical antiglaucoma medications for a minimum period of 6 months were enrolled and followed up for a period of 1 year. Duration of therapy and drops/day were noted. Patients underwent complete ocular examination including ocular coherence tomography (OCT) for measurement of Corneal Epithelial Thickness (CET) and Central Corneal Thickness (CCT). Results: The mean age of the patients was 55 ± 11.84 yrs. Corneal Epithelial Thickness (CET) had a baseline mean value of 60.02 ± 6.04µm which decreased to a mean value of 57.62 ± 6.16µm at 1 year follow up. Central Corneal Thickness (CCT) had a baseline value of 529.97 ± 40.8µm which decreased to a mean value of 524.56 ± 41.2µm at 1 year follow up. CET and CCT values decreased with increasing the number of drugs used and daily drops instilled. Conclusion: CET and CCT values decreased over the one-year study period. Further, the values were found to be worsened with increasing the number of drugs used and daily drops instilled. The value worsened with increasing the number and frequency of drug instillation. The usage of preservative-free products, combination drug products, and concurrent use of lubricating eye drops may be helpful in slowing the damage on the corneal epithelium.