Association of Dry Eye with Functioning Glaucoma Blebs in Pediatrics, LAMIA S. ELEWA and SAFAA SALEH
Abstract
Purpose: To determine the prevalence of symptoms and early signs of dry eye among children with functioning blebs after subscleraltrabeculectomy (SST) with Mitomycin-C (MMC).
Place: Ain-Shams University Hospitals. Design: Comparative, cross-sectional study.
Patients and Methods: Thirty eyes of 30 patients who underwent SST-MMC for primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) and with controlled intraocular pressure (IOP) were included in this study. Thirty eyes of 30 age matched children without previous eye surgery were included as control group. Detailed history data was revised, full ocular examination, evaluation of bleb status, and IOP measurements were performed. Eval-uation of dry eye including; the tear film break up time (TBUT), lissamine green (LG) conjunctival staining, fluores-cein (FL) corneal staining, and Schirmer-I test were done.
Results: Mean age of the study group was 9±1.8 years (range 6 to 13), and mean IOP measurements was 14.5±5.5 mmHg (range 11 to 22). TBUT recorded lower values in the study groups (p=0.005). Higher values of LG staining (p<0.001) and FL staining (p<0.001) score and Schirmer I-test (p<0.001) were reported in the study group. Bleb height showed strong correlation with TBUT, LG and, Fl staining score.
Conclusion: Glaucoma blebs in pediatrics are associated with dry eye symptoms and signs which may raise the concern about the risk of infection. Bleb height correlates with the severity of dryness in these eyes.