First Author: E.Kanonidou GREECE
Co Author(s): E. Lokovitis C. Kanonidou A. Papagianni L. Papazisis
Purpose:
Primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) is a significant cause of visual impairment and accounts for a remarkable number of cases in ophthalmological practice. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the glaucoma eye drops instillation technique among glaucomatous patients.
Setting:
: Department of Ophthalmology, General Hospital of Veria, Veria, Greece.
Methods:
57 patients (26 male, 31 female), 65.9 years old (SD 5.7), with POAG under treatment, with a 3-year duration of disease (SD 3.57) participated in the study. All self-administered topical antiglaucoma medication. Evaluation was performed using a questionnaire.
Results:
97% thought they administered the drops correctly, 8% reported missing a dose rarely. 16% kept a spare supply of drops, 8% carried the drops with them. 65% applied the drops in the sitting, 35% in the supine position. 40% washed their hands before instillation, 73% pulled the lower eyelid down during instillation, 61% reported contact of eye or periocular tissues with the bottle tip. 76% closed their eyes for a few seconds after instillation, 69% mentioned removal of the drop excess with a tissue. 4% occluded the tear duct after instillation, 25% left a time interval between instillations if more than one drops was needed. 5% felt the drops in their mouth, 56% mentioned discomfort during instillation. 77% kept the drop bottle in a cool, dark place, 44% kept it in the fridge. None of the patients left anybody else to use their drops, 2% used the drops of another person. 85% always checked the expiration date of the drops, 76% wrote the date they opened the bottle on its label, 33% remembered the opening date by heart. 84% threw out the bottle after four weeks of opening. 81% kept the drops out of children’s reach.
Conclusions:
The level of awareness of patients with POAG about the eye drops instillation is not satisfactory. Their knowledge regarding the hand hygiene before the instillation, the significance of avoidance of the bottle tip contact with the eye or periocular tissues during the instillation as well as the eyelids closure, the nasolacrimal occlusion and the removal of the excess of the medication after the instillation is found to be insufficient. These findings should alert the health professionals so as to spend more time educating their patients.
Financial Disclosure:
None
