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Noncompliance with glaucoma medication in Korean patients: a multicenter qualitative study

  • Clinical Investigation
  • Published:
Japanese Journal of Ophthalmology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

To investigate the common side effects of topical antiglaucoma medication, factors affecting compliance, and the utilization of herbal medicine for glaucoma treatment in South Korea.

Patients and methods

A cross-sectional multicenter hospital-based study. In-depth interviews using a structured questionnaire were conducted with 581 individuals diagnosed with glaucoma. Additional eligibility requirements were: all participants were diagnosed with glaucoma in one or both eyes and prescribed eye drops at least one month before the start of the study, and were in a suitable condition for an interview. The frequency of response for each category in the interview questionnaire was analyzed.

Results

Conjunctival injection, a stinging sensation, and blurred vision were the most frequently reported side effects, among which blurred vision was the most unbearable. Patient knowledge of glaucoma was the only factor associated with the patient’s self-evaluation of compliance. Forgetfulness was the most common reason for nonadherence. Only 2.9 % of patients were taking herbal medicine.

Conclusions

Physicians should address a patient’s complaint of blurred vision resulting from medication. Complete initial explanation of the consequences of nonadherence and of the potential vision loss from glaucoma are critical elements in improving patient adherence in Asian populations.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the investigator-initiated research study program fund granted by Pfizer (grant number IG-KOR-028-2008).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, Yeouido St. Mary’s Hospital, #62 Yeouido-dong, Yeoungdeungpo-gu, Seoul, 150-713, Korea

    Myoung Hee Park & Jungil Moon

  2. Incheon St. Mary’s Hospital, Incheon, Korea

    Kyu-Dong Kang

  3. School of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea

    Myoung Hee Park, Kyu-Dong Kang & Jungil Moon

Authors
  1. Myoung Hee Park
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  2. Kyu-Dong Kang
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  3. Jungil Moon
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Consortia

The Korean Glaucoma Compliance Study Group

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jungil Moon.

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Park, M.H., Kang, KD., Moon, J. et al. Noncompliance with glaucoma medication in Korean patients: a multicenter qualitative study. Jpn J Ophthalmol 57, 47–56 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10384-012-0188-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10384-012-0188-6

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