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Patients prefer once-daily glaucoma drops
Alex J Buller1, Laurence H Morgan, Brian L Hercules
1Stepping Hill Hospital, Poplar Grove, Stockport, Cheshire, UK. alexbuller@mac.com
Summary
Once-daily eye drops are significantly more convenient than multiple daily regimens for glaucoma patients. This preference promotes better adherence to topical anti-glaucoma medication therapy.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pharmacology
- Patient Adherence Research
Background:
- Compliance with topical anti-glaucoma medication is complex.
- Fewer daily eye drops do not always ensure better patient compliance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the inconvenience of various eye drop regimens.
- To evaluate patient-reported inconvenience against a once-daily (OD) regimen.
Main Methods:
- Patients rated inconvenience of 1, 2, 3, or 4 daily drop regimens using visual analogue scales.
- Paired t-tests with Bonferroni correction compared OD regime scores to other regimens.
Main Results:
- Five of six subgroups found once-daily drops significantly more convenient (p < 0.05).
- Patients previously using OD drops perceived greater convenience compared to those who had not.
Conclusions:
- Results provide guidance for selecting glaucoma therapies.
- Recommends initiating therapy with once-daily drops to enhance patient compliance.
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