Abstract
Aim To evaluate eye drop instillation technique and to explore its determinants in glaucoma patients. Methods One hundred and thirteen patients diagnosed with glaucoma and self-administering topical antiglaucoma eye drops for at least 1 month were evaluated. All patients instilled artificial tear solution in one eye as they would do at home. The whole process was evaluated by two study staff. A comprehensive score system associated with eye drop instillation techniques was used to quantify the instillation technique and explore its determinants such as demographic and clinical characteristics. Results Half of the patients (48.67%) finished the administration of eye drop on first attempt.1.7 eye drops were squeezed out on average. 43 patients (37.17%) got contact with ocular surface or adnexa. Only 19.7% patients had eye drop instillation techniques being defined as well. 11 patients (9.7%) had prior instruction regarding using eye drops, while only 4 patients knew to occlude the tear duct by pressing the dacryocyst area. Older age and worse visual acuity were found to be independent risk factors for worse instillation technique. Conclusions Eye drop instillation technique in glaucoma patients deserves great attention from eye care practitioners during their lifelong follow-up, especially those aged older and have worse visual acuity.
Highlights
Glaucoma is a chronic eye disease causing blindness in millions of people worldwide [1]
This study aimed to explore the status of patients in busy clinical setting of a developing country and to evaluate the determinants of the drop instillation skill
A cross-sectional design was used and 113 patients with glaucoma were enrolled in this study between August 1, 2016 and December 30, 2016
Summary
Glaucoma is a chronic eye disease causing blindness in millions of people worldwide [1]. During lifelong follow-up, a daily, correct administration by the patient is required It is reported nearly half of the patients with glaucoma could not use the eye drops properly [2]. Eye drops require patients to use proper technique for successful medication administration. This requires instilling a single drop accurately into the conjunctiva of the eye and without contacting eye drop container with the ocular surface or adnexa. It is reported more than half of the patients omitted 10% of doses and 15% of patients omitted half doses [3]. This study aimed to explore the status of patients in busy clinical setting of a developing country and to evaluate the determinants of the drop instillation skill
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