Evaluation of reasons of glaucoma treatment dropouts in a health-care center

Abstract

Aims: The aim of this study is to evaluate the reasons of dropout in glaucoma patients in a health-care center. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 135 glaucoma patients assessed from January 2013 to January 2016 and lost to follow-up for more than 1 year; who were inquired about their reason of dropout through telephonic talk. Statistical Analysis Used: Z-test (SPSS-Statistical Package for the Social Sciences; version 21). Results: Out of 135 patients, 11 were untraceable due to wrong numbers. Of the remaining 124 patients, 33.1% cited lack of communication as their reason of dropout, followed by 29.8% of patients citing distance from the hospital and 19.3% citing no immediate visual improvement/symptoms. Among the dropouts, 49.2% of patients were on medical treatment, 26.4% of patients underwent laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI) only, 12.1% were on medical treatment post-LPI, 9.7% of patients underwent trabeculectomy, and 1.6% of patients were on medical treatment postsurgery. Conclusions: The most common factors of glaucoma treatment dropout found in our study were lack of communication followed by far distance from hospitals and no immediate visual improvement on treatment. Strategies to improve follow-up may include provision of appropriate education, motivation, and adequate counseling as well as accessible health care to prevent blinding eye disease.