Trends in prescriptions for glaucoma and ocular hypertension in France between 2014 and 2019

To explore the national trend in prescriptions for glaucoma and ocular hypertension (OHT) in France between 2014 and 2019.

This is a retrospective descriptive study based on prescription data from the Primary Health Insurance Fund databases. All patients with a social security number who received one or more glaucoma/OHT prescriptions between 2014 and 2019 were identified. Figures for 2020 are not yet available as of the date of submission of this article. Demographic characteristics from Common Classification of Medical Acts information and from National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies were analyzed. The data analysis was carried out using the R version 3.6.2.software from the available databases of the Information Systems Medicalization Program.

Our results suggest an increase in the number of patients treated with glaucoma drugs, which cannot be explained simply by demographic growth. There is also a change in drug prescription habits, both in the class of medication used and in the use of fixed combinations. We also note the increasing use of SLT (Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty), a relatively newer tool in the therapeutic arsenal. Over the same time period, demographic characteristics remained stable; age and sex distribution for each year remained constant. In addition, the phenomenon of poor therapeutic compliance, which we attempted to explore, remained stable.

This study updates the French epidemiologic data available on prescriptions for glaucoma and ocular hypertension, a true public health concern.

On the one hand, prescribing practices have evolved over the study period. On the other hand, the number of patients treated has increased faster than the growth of the French population over the same period. These findings are consistent with trends observed in previous studies.