The Effect of Antiglaucoma Medication on Cultured Human Conjunctival Epithelial Cells

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To investigate the toxicity of a short-term application of timolol maleate, dorzolamide, and benzalkonium chloride (BAC) on human conjunctival epithelial cells in vitro. METHODS: Chang's conjunctival epithelial cell line was treated for 5 min, 15 min, 30 min, and 60 min with various concentrations of timolol, dorzloamide, or BAC, and then examined 4 hrs or 24 hrs later. Cell viabilities were assessed by MTT assay. The expressions of various cytokines by timolol maleate, dorzolamide, and BAC treatment in human conjunctival epithelial cells were evaluated using ELISPOT. RESULTS: BAC significantly decreased survival of conjunctival epithelial cells in a dose and time dependent manner compared with timolol and dorzolamide. Inflammatory cytokines, IL-6 and IL-8, were highly expressed in conjunctival epithelial cells treated with timolol, dorzolamide, and BAC. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that increased expression of inflammatory markers, IL-6 and IL-8 might explain the ocular surface disorder in patients receiving antiglaucoma medication.