Exploring the Dual Impact: Assessment of Glaucoma and Dry Eye Syndrome on Patient Outcomes

The present study sought to explore the Dual Impact Assessment of Glaucoma and Dry Eye Syndrome on Patient Outcomes. A total of 180 patients from multiple hospitals across Iraq were included in the study, and demographic and baseline patient information was collected. The patients were randomly assigned to two groups over a one-year study period. In this study, a demographic questionnaire was created, including age, sex, height, weight, income, and comorbidities, which were crucial factors in distinguishing between the two groups. The severity of dry eye was categorised as mild, moderate, or severe. The standardized chart was utilized to assess best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), which was subsequently incorporated into the LogMAR score as an additional criterion. The results obtained in this study were as follows: The mean age of Group 1 was 65.1 years (± 7.9 years), and Group 2 was 66.5 years (± 8.3 years). Group 1 had a higher proportion of mild cases (44.4%), while Group 2 had more moderate and severe dry eye cases (18.9%), suggesting severe ocular discomfort. The condition, known as dry eye syndrome, has been shown to have a significant impact on tear production and overall ocular health. This impact can be evidenced by lower Schirmer test scores and shorter tear breakup times in patients diagnosed with glaucoma. This emphasises the necessity for regular assessment and concurrent management of the condition. Group 2 demonstrated lower retinal layer thickness values in both the retinal nerve fibre layer thickness (RNFLT; 86.5 μm) and the ganglion cell complex-peripheral layer thickness (GCIPLT; 76.6 μm) in comparison to Group 1. Subsequent data demonstrates a gradual decline in adherence rates between the two groups. Thus necessitating interventions to maintain patient engagement and to monitor for early indications of non-adherence. It has been posited that both glaucoma and dry eye syndrome (DES) have dualistic repercussions on the patients' outcomes when it comes to integrated care. Therefore, healthcare practitioners ought to be cognisant of DES in patients with glaucoma in such cases for the purpose of improving adherence and quality of life.