Abstract
Purpose::
The purpose of the study were: (a) to describe the different types of problems that patients in relatively rural southern India reported having when taking their glaucoma medications and (b) to examine the relationship between patient reported-problems in taking their glaucoma medications and self-reported patient adherence.
Methods::
A validated survey was administered by clinic volunteers to 243 glaucoma patients who were on at least one glaucoma medication in an eye clinic in southern India. We calculated average percent adherence to glaucoma medications for each patient.We used logistic regression to examine how patient characteristics and problems in using glaucoma medications were related to reported adherence.
Results::
We found that 42% of patients reported one or more problems in using their glaucoma medications. Seventeen percent of patients reported that it took them more than one hour to get to their pharmacy. Six percent of patients reported being less than 100% adherent to their glaucoma medications in the past week. Patients who reported more problems in using their glaucoma medications were significantly more likely to report non-adherence.
Conclusions::
Ophthalmologists should make sure to discuss the problems/concerns that patients may have in taking their glaucoma medications in an effort to improve adherence. Adherence to medications might be considered an important consideration within Vision 2020's initiative to eliminate global blindness.
Keywords: clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: treatment/prevention assessment/controlled clinical trials