[Perception of glaucoma and therapeutic adherence: A multicenter observational study]

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Patient Adherence Research
• Public Health

Background:

• Glaucoma management requires consistent medication adherence for effective intraocular pressure (IOP) control.
• Patient adherence to glaucoma treatment is often suboptimal, impacting disease progression and visual outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate medication adherence in glaucoma patients using the Glaucoma Treatment Compliance Assessment Tool (GTCAT) questionnaire.
• To correlate GTCAT results with clinical parameters in chronic open-angle glaucoma (COAG) patients.

Main Methods:

• A multicenter prospective observational study involving COAG patients followed for at least 3 years.
• Administration of a French version of the GTCAT questionnaire.
• Correlation of adherence data with clinical parameters including disease duration, IOP, and visual field mean deviation (MD).

Main Results:

• 60.9% of patients reported full adherence to glaucoma treatment.
• Forgetfulness (75%) was the primary reason for missed doses, followed by unavailability of eye drops (37.5%).
• Adverse effects of topical medications negatively impacted quality of life, while confidence in the physician correlated with perceived importance of vision preservation.

Conclusions:

• The GTCAT questionnaire highlights the intricate interplay between glaucoma patients, their treatment, and their relationship with ophthalmologists.
• Therapeutic education is crucial for improving glaucoma medication adherence.
• Negative experiences with eye drop side effects significantly hinder treatment adherence in glaucoma patients.