?AlM:To compare the tear functions and the impression cytology scores of the patients with primary open angle glaucoma ( POAG ) , ocular hypertension ( OHT ) and normal subjects with healthy ocular surface both functionally and clinically.
?METHODS: Eleven eyes of 11 patients with POAG (mean age: 62. 7±6. 1y), 12 eyes of 12 patients ( mean age:62. 8±6. 4y ) with OHT and 12 eyes of 12 normal subjects ( mean age: 62. 9±6. 03y) were included to this prospective study. The patients with POAG and OHT had been recently diagnosed with these diseases and none of them had taken anti - glaucoma treatment before. ln addition to conjunctival impression cytology, tear break-up time ( TBUT ) and basal Schirmer’s tests ( BST ) were performed. lmpression cytology specimens of each group were graded and scored in the range of 0-3 according to Nelson’s method. Kruskal- Wallis analysis and Dunn’s multiple comparison tests were used for statistical analysis.
?RESULTS:The mean BST values were 10. 4±1. 3, 10. 9±1. 2 and 11. 1±1. 1 mm/5min of POAG, OHT and control groups respectively. The differences among the BST values of the POAG, OHT and control group were not statistically significant (P=0. 33). The mean TBUT values were 11. 2±1. 1, 11. 3±1. 1 and 11. 8±1. 2s in POAG, OHT and normal subjects respectively. The differences among the BUT values of the POAG, OHT and control group were not statistically significant (P=0. 35). Six eyes (54. 5%) revealed grade 0 and 5 eyes ( 45. 5%) revealed grade 1 impression cytology scores in POAG group. Six eyes (50%) revealed grade 0 and 6 eyes (50%) revealed grade 1 impression cytology scores in OHT group and 6 eyes (50%) revealed grade 0 and 6 eyes (50%) revealed grade 1 impression cytology scores in normal subjects ( P =0. 97).
?CONCLUSlON: Oxidative stress may cause glaucoma, ocular surface diseases, lacrimal gland malfunction and a decrease in mucus secretion ofgoblet cells in all of the body. There were no significant differences between the impression cytology scores of patients with POAG, OHT and normal subjects.