LYSOZYME, ALFA‐1‐ANTITRYPSIN AND SERUM ALBUMIN IN TEAR FLUID OF TIMOLOL TREATED GLAUCOMA PATIENTS WITH AND WITHOUT SYMPTOMS OF DRY EYES

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Abstract
Determination of tear lysozyme, .alpha.-1-antitrypsin and serum albumin was performed in the tear fluid of 24 glaucoma patients on maintenance treatment with timolol [a non-selective .beta.-adrenoceptor blocker]. In 7 patients with symptoms of dry eye decreased levels of tear lysozyme and increased levels of .alpha.-1-antitrypsin and serum albumin were disclosed in contrast to 17 timolol-treated patients without dry eyes and to healthy controls. The timolol-treated patients with ocular dryness also showed hyperosmolality of tear fluid, abnormal corneal staining with rose bengal and decreased break-up time and Schirmer-I-test. Decreased concentration of tear lysozyme in glaucoma patients on topical treatment with timolol may indicate some impairment of the teargland function provoked by the treatment.