There are many sorts of glaucoma, but they all lead to damage of the optic nerve, which carries visual information from the eye to the brain. That’s why it’s essential that glaucoma patients take their medications as prescribed, and see their ophthalmologist regularly. Unfortunately, adherence to eye drop use is poor in glaucoma patients, as revealed in a study done by Johns Hopkins physicians and reported in the journal Ophthalmology.
There were 196 men and women in the study with open-angle glaucoma, angle-closure glaucoma, or ocular hypertension. They were supplied with free eye drops (travoprost, Travatan®) to be given to one or both eyes once daily; they were to use the Travatan Dosing Aid, a levered dispensing device that recorded date and time of use. The devices were collected after 3 months, and the data on drop use analyzed.
The results showed that 87 of the study participants – 44% - did not take their eye drops more than 75% of the time. When these non-adherent patients were compared with those who took more than 75% of their doses, it was found that poor adherers were more likely to be younger (below 50) or older (over 80), African-American, in poor general health, more depressed, and have lower income.
There are many sorts of glaucoma, but they all lead to damage of the optic nerve, which carries visual information from the eye to the brain. That’s why it’s essential that glaucoma patients take their medications as prescribed, and see their ophthalmologist regularly. Unfortunately, adherence to eye drop use is poor in glaucoma patients, as revealed in a study done by Johns Hopkins physicians and reported in the journal Ophthalmology. There were 196 men and women in the study with open-angle glaucoma, angle-closure glaucoma, or ocular hypertension. They were supplied with free eye drops (travoprost, Travatan®) to be given to one or both eyes once daily; they were to use the Travatan Dosing Aid, a levered dispensing device that recorded date and time of use. The devices were collected after 3 months, and the data on drop use analyzed. The results showed that 87 of the study participants – 44% - did not take their eye drops more than 75% of the time. When these non-adherent patients were compared with those who took more than 75% of their doses, it was found that poor adherers were more likely to be younger (below 50) or older (over 80), African-American, in poor general health, more depressed, and have lower income. As the researchers say: “physicians need to ask about adherence with therapy and offer patients assistance figuring out how to be successful in taking medications as prescribed.” Pharmacists, too, can help in emphasizing the importance of not missing doses, if eyesight is to be maintained as long as possible. As the researchers say: “physicians need to ask about adherence with therapy and offer patients assistance figuring out how to be successful in taking medications as prescribed.” Pharmacists, too, can help in emphasizing the importance of not missing doses, if eyesight is to be maintained as long as possible.