Lysozyme, alfa-1-antitrypsin and serum albumin in tear fluid of timolol treated glaucoma patients with and without symptoms of dry eyes.

Determination of tear lysozyme, alfa-1-antitrypsin and serum albumin was performed in the tear fluid of 24 glaucoma patients on maintenance treatment with timolol. In 7 patients with symptoms of dry eye decreased levels of tear lysozyme and increased levels of alfa-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. It is concluded that decreased concentration of tear lysozyme in glaucoma patients on topical treatment with timolol may indicate some impairment of the tear gland function provoked by the treatment.