Patient and ophthalmologist attitudes concerning compliance and dosing in glaucoma treatment

The aim of this study was to identify research avenues that might improve patient compliance with glaucoma therapy.

500 patients and physicians were interviewed by telephone in 5 European countries, and the results were compiled and evaluated by 2 independent physicians.

Most physicians believed that pressure reduction is useful (UK (96%), France (94%), Spain (80%), Italy (72%), and Germany (70%), p < 0.0001). The majority of physicians believed that noncompliance exists in 0%-25% of patients, whereas 34% of patients admitted to noncompliance. Physicians believed patients would prefer once-daily dosing (92%) and that it would help compliance, whereas 60% of patients preferred once-daily dosing, and 20% of patients believed it would help compliance. Physicians (94%) believed that noncompliance could lead to visual loss and, while this information concerned most physicians, this was less likely in Germany (52%) (p < 0.0001). Most patients received information concerning dosing of their medicines (79%), and, accordingly, waited an average of 10 minutes between doses; but only half of the patients had been told to wait at least 5 minutes between instilling preparations. Approximately 2 of 3 patients knew that missing medicines could cause visual loss.

Once-daily dosing to increase patient satisfaction and/or dosing convenience and providing patient education are potential clinical techniques that could be further evaluated as a means to increase compliance.