Abstract
Background
The relationship between complexity of eye drop regime and compliance is not straightforward, i.e. fewer drops may not mean better compliance. We investigated the level of inconvenience different eye drop regimes incurred in comparison with a once-daily (OD) regime for patients experienced with using topical anti-glaucoma medication.
Methods
Patients indicated the level of inconvenience from drop regimes of 1,2,3 or 4 times daily on 10-cm visual analogue scales. The score for the OD regime was then compared with the scores for the other regimes using paired t-tests with Bonferroni correction.
Results
At a significance limit of p=0.05, five of six subgroups indicated once-a-day drops were significantly more convenient than other regimes. Patients who had used the OD regime considered this difference greater than those who had not.
Conclusions
This study’s results offer some pragmatic guidance on choice of therapy and on counselling patients about compliance. We would suggest starting patients on OD drops in preference to alternatives to promote compliance.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Gurwitz JH, Glynn RJ, Monane M, Everitt DE, Gilden D, Smith N, Avorn J (1993) Treatment for glaucoma: adherence by the elderly. Am J Public Health 83:711–716
Kass MA, Gordon M, Morley RE Jr, Meltzer DW, Goldberg JJ (1987) Compliance with topical timolol treatment. Am J Ophthalmol 103:188–189
Konstas AG, Maskaleris G, Gratsonidis S, Sardelli C (2000) Compliance and viewpoint of glaucoma patients in Greece. Eye 14:752–756
Olthoff CM, Schouten JS, van de Borne BW, Webers CA (2005) Noncompliance with ocular hypotensive treatment in patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension: an evidence-based review. Ophthalmology 112:953–961
Patel SC, Spaeth GL (1995) Compliance in patients prescribed eyedrops for glaucoma. Ophthalmic Surg 26:233–236
Shaya FT, Mullins CD, Wong W, Cho J (2002) Discontinuation rates of topical glaucoma medications in a managed care population. Am J Manag Care 8(Suppl 10):S271–S277
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Buller, A., Morgan, L.H. & Hercules, B.L. Patients prefer once-daily glaucoma drops. Graefe's Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 245, 293–294 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-006-0333-3
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-006-0333-3