TEAR FILM ANALYSIS IN PATIENTS ON CHRONIC ANTI-PSYCHOTIC THERAPY

As of recent times, Dry eye disease has been on a rise. Added to the systemic factors, drugs and environment alter the characteristics of the tear film, which is indispensable for a healthy ocular surface. Anti-psychotic agents are very commonly used in a psychiatry setup, usually life-long by the patients. So, side effects are quite common. Dry eye disease is one such side effect which does not get proper attention. Our study found that 32 out of 100 patients who were on these drugs had dry eye disease i.e. 59 out of 200 eyes. Patients who were on treatment for more than 8 years, had more chance of dry eye disease. Maximum patients with dry eye were on Chlorpromazine > Haloperidol > Risperidone Patients who were on multi-drug regimen, most commonly the combination of Haloperidol with Chlorpromazine and Risperidone, were found to have more chance of dry eye. Therefore, our study recommends a regular Ophthalmic follow-up for the patients on chronic treatment with Anti-psychotics, for early detection and management of the dry eye disease.