Impact of patient-physician communication and disease knowledge on treatment adherence in glaucoma patients

Glaucoma is a chronic, progressive optic neuropathy that can lead to irreversible blindness if left untreated. It is the leading cause of irreversible blindness globally. Effective management relies heavily on the control of intraocular pressure (IOP), typically through lifelong pharmacological treatment, but adherence to therapy is often a challenge due to the asymptomatic nature of the disease.

The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive influence of the doctor-patient relationship, the quality of communication between doctor and patient, patient knowledge about glaucoma, and quality of life when adhering to therapeutic recommendations among a group of Polish glaucoma patients.

This study was conducted at the Ophthalmology Outpatient Clinic of the University Clinical Hospital in Wrocław, Poland. A total of 190 patients were enrolled, and adherence to treatment was assessed using the Adherence to Refills and Medications Scale (ARMS). Additional variables included patient-physician communication (CAT-14), relationship quality (PDRQ-9), visual function (NEI VFQ-25), and glaucoma knowledge (GKQ-10).

The results indicated that 58.9% of patients showed low adherence to their prescribed treatment. Satisfaction with doctor-patient communication, higher levels of knowledge about glaucoma, and better visual function were significantly associated with better adherence. The quality of the patient-physician relationship, while not statistically significant, also showed potential positive effects on adherence.

Improving patient education and enhancing the quality of communication between healthcare providers and patients are critical to increasing adherence to glaucoma treatment. Importantly, the study provides a valuable evidence base for developing adherence-enhancing strategies within the Polish healthcare system. Given the scarcity of such data in Central and Eastern Europe, our results may also inform similar efforts in the region. Designing culturally sensitive and system-specific interventions, such as brief communication training for ophthalmologists or structured patient education programs, could help address persistent adherence challenges in chronic ophthalmic care.