Abstract
Purpose :
Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness, accounting for 50% of blindness worldwide. For patients undergoing cataract surgery, complying with the postoperative antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drop regimen and utilizing proper eye drop administration are essential to avoiding complications including infection and inflammation. The purpose of this study was to investigate compliance with post-operative eye drops following cataract surgery.
Methods :
This is a cross-sectional, single-site, survey study of patients undergoing cataract surgery at the Eastern Regional Hospital in Koforidua, Ghana during October 2022. A survey was administered 1 week post cataract surgery to assess literacy level, eye drop adherence, eye drop instillation technique, eye drop frequency, perceived understanding of post-operative instructions, and any associated barriers to eye drop compliance. Patients included in the study received cataract surgery, were over the age of 18, were capable of understanding the purpose of the study and all information needed to provide informed consent, and able to answer the questionnaire either verbally or through writing.
Results :
There were 59 patients included in the analysis. The mean age of patients were 65.22 ± 14.20 years (range 18 to 85). There were 32 (54.2%) male and 27 (45.8%) female patients. Thirty-three (50.7%) patients had 9+ years of education, 11 (18.6%) had 3–8 years of education, and 12 (20.3%) had 0–2 years of primary education. Fifty-nine (100%) patients believed they administered the eye drops at the correct time and the correct method outlined by their doctor. Fifty-six (94.9%) patients noted the tip of the drop container never touched their eye, 2 (3.38%) noted it did more than twice and 1 (1.69%) noted it did once or twice. Fifty-three (93.2%) noted the eye drop never missed their eye, 3 (5.10%) noted it missed their eye more than twice, and 1 (1.69%) noted it did once or twice.
Conclusions :
All patients perceived their method of eye drop administration to be correct, however some had forgotten to wash hands prior to eye drop use and had the tip of the eye drop container touch their eye, highlighting the discrepancy between patient's perceived technique of instillation and recommended eye drop precautions. Future studies include observing patients administer eye drops and providing visual teaching of proper eye drop administration technique.
This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.