Evaluation of ocular surface health in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate ocular surface health in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and to investigate the tendency of these patients toward dry eyes. Materials and Methods: Fifty patients who underwent polysomnography and were diagnosed with OSAS and 50 normal control subjects were compared with respect to ocular surface disease index (OSDI), Schirmer I test and tear film break-up time (TBUT) values. Results: Patients were grouped as mild (n=15, 30%), moderate (n=15, 30%) and severe (n=20, 40%) according to apnea-hypopnea index values. the right eyes of patients were included in both groups. OSDI values were as follows: control group, 18.7+/-8.5; mild OSAS group, 40.2+/-2.8; moderate OSAS group, 48.5+/-2.2 and severe OSAS group, 62.7+/-2.3 (p<0.001). TBUT values were as follows: control group, 12.3+/-4.9; mild OSAS group, 8.2+/-4.7; moderate OSAS group, 5.8+/-2.1 and severe OSAS group, 4.2+/-3.7 (p<0.001). Schirmer values were as follows: control group, 18+/-6.1 mm; mild OSAS group, 12.9+/-6.7 mm; moderate OSAS group, 8.5+/-5.2 mm and severe OSAS group, 7.9+/-4.7 mm (p<0.001). Conclusion: Patients with OSAS seem to have a tendency toward dry eyes. Clinicians should be aware of dry eye development in these patients.