Materials and Methods: A total of 31 patients with unilateral ocular hypertension or glaucoma receiving antiglaucomatous medical treatment for at least 1 year were included in this study. The contralateral eyes were used as the control group. Invasive tear film break-up time (TF-BUT), fluorescein staining of the ocular surface, and Schirmer II test were performed in all subjects. Total eyelid score and meibomian gland secretion score were evaluated. Non-contact meibography were performed with the Sirius corneal topographic device.

Results: There were 15 (48,4%) males and 16 (51,6%) females and the mean age was 57.9±9.8 years. While the TF-BUT (p<0.001) and Schirmer test (p<0.001) values were significantly lower in the glaucoma group compared to the control group, the ocular surface staining score (p=0.001), eyelid (p<0.001) and meibomian gland secretion (p<0.001) score were significantly higher. Meibomian gland loss area (p<0.001 for the both upper and lower eyelid) and meiboscore (p<0.001 for the upper and lower eyelid) were significantly higher in the glaucoma group. In correlation analysis number of antiglaucoma eye drops, daily benzalkonium chloride exposure was associated with ocular surface parameters and meiboscore. Disease duration was correlated with any of ocular surface parameters.

Conclusion: Long-term topical anti-glaucoma treatment adversely affects the ocular surface and meibomian glands. We found that long-term use of topical antiglaucomatous drugs caused significant loss of meibomian glands by meibographic evaluation, as well as decreased ocular surface scores. Keywords : Dry eye, Glaucoma, Meibography, Meibomian gland, Ocular surface