Effects of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome on the Eye

Abstract

Background:The purpose of this study is to investigate the eye pathologies, primarily glaucoma and Floppy Eyelid syndrome (FES), of patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea syndrome (OSAS). Materials and Methods:One hundred sixty two patients with OSAS, who were diagnosed through polysomnography (PSG), were consulted to the ophthalmology clinic. The patients were classified on the Apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). It was accepted that AHI≤5 was normal, 5≤ AHI <15 was mild OSAS, 15≤ AHI <30 was moderate OSAS, and AHI ≥30 was severe OSAS. Results:The mean age of the patients was 48.9±10.6 years. Statistically, there was a significant correlation between age and body mass index for the groups. It was observed that moderate and severe OSAS groups had FES more frequently for both eyes. There was no increase in intraocular pressure (IOP) and no presence of optic disc edema, which might cause glaucoma, in any of our patients. We could not find a correlation between AHI and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer, IOP and C/D ratio and there was no significant difference among the study groups. Conclusion:For the moderate and severe groups, the frequency of FES was significantly correlated for both eyes of patients. The etiological studies have shown relatively more frequent OSAS among the patients with non-arteritis ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) and glaucoma in the literature. Therefore, we believe patients with OSAS need to be examined for glaucoma and NAION for a long term. Moreover, it would be helpful to refer pulmonology clinics for PSG for patients who has FES, glaucoma and NAION with an unknown etiology.