Self‐reported preference of eyedrops in the treatment of glaucoma – Relation, symptoms, and quality of life

Abstract

AbstractPurpose: The purpose of this questionnaire was to investigate how glaucoma patients relate to preservatives in eyedrops and the impact on their quality of life and eye discomfort.Methods: This study was designed as a questionnaire‐based cross‐sectional study. Inclusion criteria included the use of IOP‐lowering eyedrops, age ≥ 18, and the ability to read and understand Danish. Questionnaires with inadequate replies or self‐rated compliance ≤60% were excluded. Participants were classified into two groups: participants using only preservative‐free eyedrops (PF) and participants using preservative‐containing (PC) – including individuals using a combination of both types of eyedrops. A total of 146 questionnaires were included. These were further divided into 3 groups depending on complete data: questionnaires with complete data in the Glaucoma Symptom Scale (GSS) (133/146), the Glaucoma Quality of Life‐15 (GQL‐15) (135/146), and eye discomfort data (140/146).Results: No statistically significant differences were found between the groups concerning the total GSS score (PC: 66.16 ± 21.49 vs. PF: 67.55 ± 21.77; p > 0.05), the total GQL‐15 score (PC 30.31 ± 15.13 vs. 31.33 ± 16.80; p > 0.05), or the total eye discomfort score (PC/PF OR; 0.90, 95% CI; 0.66–1.21, p > 0.05). Moreover, we found that the majority of the participants in the PC group were unaware of the preservative status of their eyedrops (PC; 74%), as well as the possibility to avoid preservatives (PC; 67%), by using a preservative‐free alternative. Similarly, most participants of both groups were willing to pay more for preservative‐free eyedrops (PC; 83%, PF; 93%).Conclusions: No significant difference in GSS, GQL‐15 or eye discomfort was observed between persons treated with PC and PF. A severe lack of information was however observed regarding patient awareness of the preservative status of IOP‐lowering eyedrops, as well as a willingness to pay more to avoid preservatives.