Dry Eye Syndrome (DES) is a prevalent condition in the elderly, often exacerbated by systemic medications. However the extent of this impact remains under‐explored. This study aims to fill this gap by evaluating the relationship between systemic medication use and the prevalence or severity of DES in an elderly population. The primary objective is to assess the impact of various systemic medications on the incidence and severity of DES in elderly patients. Additionally the study seeks to identify specific medications that significantly contribute to the development or worsening of DES. We conducted a cross‐sectional study involving 300 elderly patients (aged 65 and above) with a history of systemic medication use. Participants underwent ophthalmological examinations to diagnose DES and data on their medication history were collected. Statistical analysis was performed to determine correlations between specific systemic medications and DES prevalence or severity. Preliminary findings indicate a significant correlation between the use of certain systemic medications and the prevalence of DES in the elderly. Medications such as diuretics, antihistamines and some antidepressants showed a higher association with DES. Detailed results will discuss the extent of these associations and the relative impact of different medication classes on DES severity. The study underscores the need for healthcare professionals to consider the ocular side effects of systemic medications, especially in elderly patients. Further research is recommended to explore the mechanisms behind these associations and to develop strategies for managing DES in patients requiring these medications.
G. Mamatha Reddy, Venishetti Ganesh, P. Krishna Chaithanya and Deepthi Rao Gorukanti. Assessing the Impact of Systemic Medications on Dry Eye Syndrome in Elderly Patients.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36478/10.59218/makrjms.2023.12.243.246
URL: https://www.makhillpublications.co/view-article/1815-9346/10.59218/makrjms.2023.12.243.246