Glaucoma Education Research Articles

The Effectiveness of a Nurse-led Glaucoma Education on Patient Knowledge and Compliance Motivation Levels: A 1-year Prospective Case Series.

To evaluate the impact of a nurse-led glaucoma education program on patient knowledge and compliance levels in an Asian population. A 1-year prospective case series involving 69 adult glaucoma patients. Each patient attended a standardized nurse-led glaucoma education session. A questionnaire was administered by a single nurse-clinician and analyzed at three time points (preeducation for baseline, immediately posteducation, and at the 1-year follow-up) to evaluate for associations with patient knowledge and compliance motivation levels. A total of 64 patients were included in the final analysis. Patients with higher educational qualifications or who were employed had better baseline knowledge of glaucoma. Younger patients had higher baseline compliance motivation levels. Immediately posteducation, both median patient knowledge score and compliance motivation levels had a statistically significant increase. Patients on more glaucoma eye drops had greater immediate improvement in confidence in eye drop application. Patients with more positive Humphrey visual field mean deviation values had a greater immediate improvement in confidence in their understanding of glaucoma. A total of 34 patients were readministered the questionnaire at the 1-year time point. Median score for patient knowledge was highest at this point. Employed patients demonstrated better patient knowledge at baseline and at 1-year time point compared to unemployed patients. Unemployed patients experienced a significant improvement in scores from baseline to immediately posteducation, but improvement from immediately posteducation to the 1-year time point was insignificant was insignificant. Our study has examined the effectiveness of a nurse-led glaucoma education program in an Asian population, demonstrating improvement in both patient knowledge and compliance motivation levels up to 1 year after intervention. Sng JJ, Ang BCH, Soo Hoo WC, et al. The Effectiveness of a Nurse-led Glaucoma Education on Patient Knowledge and Compliance Motivation Levels: A 1-year Prospective Case Series. J Curr Glaucoma Pract 2023;17(3):149-156.

Factors Affecting Glaucoma Medication Adherence and Interventions to Improve Adherence: A Narrative Review.

Glaucoma is a leading cause of vision loss. First line therapy for primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) are topical ocular hypotensive drops. Patient adherence with topical therapy for glaucoma is a significant challenge with a reported adherence of 60%. The purpose of this review is to discuss factors associated with glaucoma adherence (including demographic factors, cost, patient education, health beliefs, treatment burden and regimen, and physical limitations) and to explore potential interventions to improve medication adherence. Articles included in this review were found by searching PubMed and Google Scholar using the key words "Glaucoma Treatment Adherence" and "Glaucoma Treatment Compliance." Data from this review demonstrates that higher medication cost, lower patient education/literacy levels, and being of African and Hispanic descent are associated with lower medication adherence rates. The data is inconclusive on whether medication regimen complexity lowers patient medication adherence rates. Interventions that have successfully improved medication adherence rates for minority patients have focused on building trust and addressing fears and false beliefs. For cost, explicit physician communication to patients regarding medication cost is important and can help the physician determine any patient concerns about cost. Outside the USA, adherence has been improved through adherence-contingent rebate systems and government subsidies. Most interventions that aim to increase adherence target patient education and literacy with the following interventions demonstrating efficacy: written instructions targeting glaucoma-specific health literacy, literacy level appropriate glaucoma education videos, and interactive and personalized educational programs. More clinic infrastructure and programs that utilize patient reminder tools and patient educators could help physicians and patients in support of these personalized action plans.

Knowledge of glaucoma among patients of selected health facilities in Ondo state, Nigeria

Background: Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness globally hence, the need for individual to acquire knowledge of prevention, control and appropriate management. This study sought to assess the knowledge of glaucoma among patients of selected health facilities in Ondo state, Nigeria. Methods: This research was a descriptive study. A total of 366 respondents selected randomly from the two health facilities in Ondo-state participated in the research. A self-structured questionnaire was used in collecting relevant data. Data were analyzed and level of significant was at p value 0.05. Results: Out of a total of 366 respondents, females 216 (59%) dominate, the majority were aged between 21-30 years (20.8%). Above half (51.1%) had tertiary level of education. Participants’ awareness (64.8%) and knowledge (49.7%) of glaucoma was good. Socio-demographic profiles had no relationship with level of knowledge of glaucoma. Conclusions: The awareness and knowledge about glaucoma was fairly good among the patients in Ondo state. The study findings stress the need to enhance awareness and knowledge through public oriented glaucoma education. Also, appropriate patient education and planning might positively affect the patients’ adherence to glaucoma medications.

The economic burden of glaucoma on patients.

To determine the economic burden of glaucoma on patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted on glaucoma patients diagnosed at least 6 weeks prior to the study and on topical anti-glaucoma medications. After consenting, patients were asked about their monthly income, education, occupation, treatment duration, drugs being used, cost of drugs, one bottle lasts for, financial dependence for treatment, glaucoma surgery, transportation means and cost, etc. Also, information regarding government reimbursement of medical costs was collected. Seventy-four patients aged 60.18±11.5 years (40 males and 34 females) were enrolled. Majority were retirees (37.84%) and Homemakers (29.73%). Fifty (68%) participants didn't earn anything. Sixty-three patients had bilateral involvement and 52.70% were on treatment for >3 years. Prostaglandin analogs were most commonly used drugs (34.21%). Average cost of medications and travelling was ₹669.46 per month and ₹203.38 per visit respectively. Majority were financially responsible for their own treatment (62.16%). Patients had an average monthly income of ₹7108.11. Low-income group spent 26.08 % of their monthly salary on glaucoma treatment. Low-moderate and high-income group spent 5.17% and 1.50% of their monthly income respectively. Only 4.05% were covered by government reimbursement. Gender (P=0.019), occupation (P=0.010), whether undergone surgery (P=0.007), whether accompanied (P=0.027), hours lost during each visit (P=0.016) and treatment impression (P=0.027) showed statistical significance when associated with financial dependence. Treatment should be modified according to the patient's socioeconomic status. Glaucoma education programs and screening camps in remote areas would help in early detection of the disease.

How Medication Adherence Affects Disease Management in Veterans with Glaucoma: Lessons Learned from a Clinical Trial

Introduction: We conducted a secondary, real-world clinical assessment of a randomized controlled trial to determine how a glaucoma medication adherence intervention impacted the clinical outcomes of participants at 12 months post-randomization. Participants included veterans at a VA eye clinic with medically treated glaucoma who reported poor adherence and their companions, if applicable. Methods: The treatment group received a glaucoma education session with drop administration instruction and virtual reminders from a “smart bottle” (AdhereTech) for their eye drops. The control group received a general eye health class and the smart bottle with the reminder function turned off. Medical chart extraction determined if participants in each group experienced visual field progression, additional glaucoma medications, or a recommendation for surgery or laser due to inadequate intraocular pressure control over the 12 months following randomization. The main outcome measure was disease progression, defined as visual field progression or escalation of glaucoma therapy, in the 12 months following randomization. Results: Thirty-six versus 32% of the intervention (n = 100) versus control (n = 100) groups, respectively, experienced disease intensification. There was no difference between the intervention and control groups in terms of intensification (intervention vs. control group odds ratio: 1.20; 95% confidence interval: [0.67, 2.15]), including when age, race, and disease severity were accounted for in the logistic regression model. Those whose study dates included time during the COVID-19 pandemic were evenly distributed between groups. Conclusions: A multifaceted intervention that improved medication adherence for glaucoma for 6 months did not affect the clinical outcomes measured at 12 months post-randomization. Twelve months may not be long enough to see the clinical effect of this intervention or more than 6 months of intervention are needed.

It Is Time to Rethink Adult Glaucoma Screening Recommendations.

It Is Time to Rethink Adult Glaucoma Screening Recommendations.

Readability and Suitability of Online Patient Education Materials for Glaucoma

To assess the quality, content, readability, and accountability of information about glaucoma found online. Cross-sectional study. Thirteen websites containing patient education materials for glaucoma were analyzed in this study. An online Google search was conducted using the keyword "glaucoma." Thirteen medical website results were selected for analysis. Each website was assessed by 3 independent reviewers for suitability, readability, and accountability. The standardized Suitability Assessment of Materials (SAM) tool was used to evaluate the quality and content of information on each website. The Flesch Reading Ease (FRE) score, Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL), Coleman-Liau Index (CLI), Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG) index, Automated Readability Index (ARI), and Linsear Write Formula (LWF) score were used to assess the readability of the websites. The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) accountability benchmarks were used to evaluate each website's accountability. These included SAM, FRE, FKGL, CLI, SMOG index, ARI, and LWF scores as well as JAMA accountability benchmarks. The average SAM score for all the websites included in this study was 18 points out of a possible 34 points. Eyewiki.org was the lowest-scoring website (11.7 ± 0.6 points), whereas aao.org and nei.nih.gov were the highest-scoring websites (26.0 ± 1.0 points and 26.0 ± 2.6 points, respectively). Three content graders in this study were in moderate agreement (kappa statistic= 0.50). The average FRE score among all the websites was 47.0 (95% confidence interval [CI], 39.3-54.7). The average reading grade score among all the websites was 11.2 (95% CI, 10.0-12.4). Two of the 13 websites (15.4%) satisfied all 4 JAMA accountability criteria. There is significant variation in the content and quality of freely available, online glaucoma education material. The material is generally either not suitable or only adequate for use. Most websites reviewed are written at a reading grade level higher than that recommended for patient education materials.

Readability of Online Patient Education Materials for Glaucoma.

We assessed the readability of online glaucoma patient education materials using seven validated instruments. Overall, glaucoma materials were written at a 10th to 11th grade level, above the recommended seventh grade reading level. Online health information is increasingly used by patients, yet previous studies show online patient education materials are often difficult to understand. As such, the American Medical Association recommends that patient education materials are written at or below a seventh grade reading level. This study aimed to assess the readability of online glaucoma patient education materials. Glaucoma was entered into the Google search engine, and the first 30 search results were assessed for readability using seven validated readability instruments. Scientific articles, forums, and dictionary entries were excluded. Single sample t tests were used to assess whether online glaucoma materials were written above the recommended seventh grade level. Overall, glaucoma materials were written at a mean grade level of 10.33 (SD: 2.02). Across 6 grade level readability instruments, these patient education materials were written above the recommended seventh grade reading level (P<0.0001 for all). Glaucoma education materials only on the first page of Google search results were of a similar reading level: mean 10.56 (SD: 2.13). The readability instruments used in this study showed strong consistency. Glaucoma patient education materials are written above the recommended reading level to promote accessibility of education materials. This may contribute to lower patient engagement, worse clinical outcomes, and greater racial and ethnic disparities in glaucoma management. There is a need for reliable, simple glaucoma information to improve patient outcomes.

Cross-sectional Survey to Determine the Awareness and Uptake of Glaucoma Surgery

Introduction: This study aimed to determine the awareness and uptake of surgery as a treatment option in patients with glaucoma on medical treatment.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among consenting patients with primary glaucoma who were on medical treatment. The survey was conducted in two eye care facilities (government-owned and private). After responding to a questionnaire, patients had ocular examinations, including visual acuity, anterior/posterior segment examinations, gonioscopy and central visual field testing. Information was obtained on the patients’ awareness of a surgical option, and reasons for non-uptake among those offered surgery were recorded. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify possible predictors of awareness of glaucoma.Results: Across both facilities, 299 patients with glaucoma with a mean age of 63.9 years participated in this study. There were 167 (55.9%) male and 132 (44.1%) female participants. Two hundred and sixty-seven (89.3%) had a formal education, and of the 169 evaluated for visual fields in the worse eye, 129 (76.3%) had severe (advanced) glaucoma. Only 79 (26.4%) of the participants were aware of surgery as a treatment option for glaucoma. The multivariate analysis found that female patients, patients from the private eye care facility and patients with primary angle closure glaucoma patients were more likely to be aware of glaucoma surgery than male patients, patients from the government-owned eye care facility and patients with primary open-angle glaucoma. Patients with primary angle closure glaucoma were more likely to be aware of glaucoma surgery than those with primary open-angle glaucoma. Cost was identified as the major barrier to the uptake of glaucoma surgery when it was recommended, followed by fear of blindness. Age, level of education and severity of disease had no statistical relationship to awareness of glaucoma surgery.Conclusion: Incorporating routine glaucoma education and counselling into glaucoma care protocols will likely improve awareness of glaucoma surgery as a treatment option.

Awareness about Glaucoma and Impact of Short Education among Patients Visiting Ophthalmology Outpatient Department at a Tertiary Care Hospital

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess the level of awareness about glaucoma and impact of short education among patients visiting ophthalmology outpatient department (OPD). Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried at our institute. The patients were given a pretested questionnaire containing nine questions to assess the awareness level before and after the short education about glaucoma. Microsoft Office Excel and IBM SPSS version 21 were used for statistical analysis. Results: The study showed that only 40% and 38% of the participants were aware of the term intraocular pressure and glaucoma, respectively. It was observed that participants <40 years scored higher than those of >40 years in both pre-test and post-test. Awareness among urban population was 58.92%, while in rural it was 29.85% in pre-test. Of the population 39.89% with formal education while 14.28% patients with no formal education were aware of glaucoma. The mean pre-test score was 1.66 ± 2.35 before the short education programme and the post-test score was 8.49 ± 1.09; the difference was statistically significant with P value < 0.0001. Conclusion: In our study, the awareness of glaucoma in the population was low; however, it was slightly higher in the younger age group, in urban areas and in educated population. Improvement in the knowledge about glaucoma was observed following short education. This waiting period in ophthalmology OPD can be effectively utilized for educating the patients about glaucoma as it has a higher impact than the regularly observed methods of imparting glaucoma education to the masses.

Accuracy of perceived glaucoma risk by patients in a clinical setting

To determine whether patients attending the ophthalmology department underestimate their glaucoma risks. We conducted a cross-sectional survey with a final study population of 1203 individuals from two medical centers in Taiwan during January 1-June 30, 2019. The "High concern" group was defined as the set of patients who rated themselves as having low risk but who had been rated by physicians as having medium or high risk of developing glaucoma over the next year. Approximately 12% of the respondents belonged to the "High concern" group. For those with education at the college level or higher, the interaction term was estimated to be 0.294 (95% CI = 0.136-0.634). Marginal effect calculations revealed significant sex-based differences in the effect of knowledge at specific age intervals. A considerable proportion of patients attending the ophthalmology department underestimate their glaucoma risks. Misjudgment of glaucoma risks can lead to delays in seeking of medical attention. Glaucoma education should be designed according to each patient's education level and sex, as its effect is not consistent across different education and sex clusters.

Improved Glaucoma Medication Adherence in a Randomized Controlled Trial

To test the effectiveness of an intervention designed to improve glaucoma medication adherence. Randomized, controlled trial at a Veterans Affairs (VA) eye clinic. Veterans with medically treated glaucoma who reported poor adherence and their companions if applicable. Participants, and their companions if applicable, were randomized to receive an intervention to improve medication adherence that included glaucoma education, personalized disease management suggestions, and a reminder aid, or the control arm that received education regarding general eye health. The average proportion of prescribed glaucoma medication doses taken on schedule over the 6 months after randomization according to an electronic monitor between participants in the 2 arms. The mean proportion of prescribed doses taken on schedule was higher in the intervention group compared with controls (0.85 vs. 0.62, P < 0.0001). The difference in proportions between the 2 groups did not vary in regressions models adjusted for companion status, frequency of dosing, and race. The longitudinal model indicated that the intervention group had significantly higher adherence during the first month after randomization and continued to stay higher through 6 months (month by treatment interaction, P= 0.003). A multifaceted intervention can help improve glaucoma medication adherence.

Michigan Screening and Intervention for Glaucoma and Eye Health Through Telemedicine (MI-SIGHT): Baseline Methodology for Implementing and Assessing a Community-based Program.

The Michigan Screening and Intervention for Glaucoma and eye Health through Telemedicine (MI-SIGHT) program leverages community-engaged research, telemedicine, and health coaching to overcome key logistical and psychosocial barriers to improve glaucoma screening in underserved communities. To describe the methodology of the implementation and evaluation of the MI-SIGHT Program. The MI-SIGHT Program uses community engagement, telemedicine, and health coaching to overcome key logistical and psychosocial barriers to glaucoma identification and care among underserved populations. The MI-SIGHT Program will be evaluated in 2 community clinics: Hamilton Community Health Network, a federally qualified health center in Flint, Michigan, and the Hope Clinic, a free clinic in Ypsilanti, Michigan. A Community Advisory Board including the research team and health care providers, administrators, and patients from both clinics will guide program implementation. An ophthalmic technician at the community clinics will conduct screening tests for glaucoma and eye disease. The data will be transmitted through electronic health record to be reviewed by an ophthalmologist who will make recommendations for follow-up care. The ophthalmic technician will conduct a return visit to fit low-or no-cost glasses, help arrange follow-up with an ophthalmologist, and provide education. Those diagnosed with glaucoma or suspected glaucoma will be randomized to standard education or personalized glaucoma education and coaching. Costs will be assessed. The authors hypothesize that the MI-SIGHT Program will detect a higher prevalence rate of glaucoma than that found in the general population, improve upon presenting visual acuity, enhance vision-related quality of life, and demonstrate that personalized glaucoma education and coaching improve adherence to follow-up care. The MI-SIGHT Program may serve as a model for glaucoma screening and care in high-risk communities.

Factors Associated with and Reasons for Loss to follow-up Among Glaucoma Patients at a Nigerian Eye Hospital

Background: Glaucoma is an emerging vision-threatening disease requiring a life-long management protocol with regular surveillance. Aim: To explore the factors associated with and reasons for loss to follow-up among glaucoma patients. Methods: All adult glaucoma patients who attended Bridget medical Centre (BMC) Eye hospital, Enugu during a two-year period (2016 – 2018) were identified via the medical records. Those who had missed an appointment by at least 12 months were reached via their cellular phones to ascertain their reasons. Information on their socio-demographic and clinical characteristics was retrieved from their records. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 21. Chi-square test was done to identify the factors associated with loss to follow-up. The level of significance was at p&lt; 0.05. Results: A total of 113 patients had glaucoma. They were mainly males, 67(59.3%), retirees with a mean age of 62.0±2SD years. Ninety-four (83.2%) participants were lost to follow-up. The main reasons were forgetfulness, 33(41.2%), and have not noticed any problem in vision, 20(25.0%). Male gender, advanced age, tertiary education, retiree, normal visual acuity, moderate/advanced stage, IOP of less than 21mmHg, more than 5 years of diagnosis and using more than one medication were associated with loss to follow-up. However, only Retiree and IOP of less than 21mmHg were statistically significant. Conclusion: The findings from this study emphasized the need for continual glaucoma education and appointment reminder, especially to Retirees with normal intraocular pressure.

Patient Experience during the Support, Educate, Empower Glaucoma Coaching Program to Improve Medication Adherence: A Pilot Study

To understand patients' qualitative experiences with the Support, Educate, Empower (SEE) personalized glaucoma coaching program, provide a richer understanding of the components of the intervention that were useful in eliciting behavior change, and understand how to improve the SEE Program. A concurrent mixed-methods process analysis. Thirty-nine patients with a diagnosis of any kind of glaucoma or ocular hypertension who were aged ≥40 years, were taking ≥1 glaucoma medication, spoke English, self-administered their eyedrops, and had poor glaucoma medication adherence (defined as taking ≤80% of prescribed medication doses assessed via electronic medication adherence monitors) who completed the 7-month SEE Program. All participants who completed the study were interviewed in-person using a semistructured interview guide after the intervention. Coders conducted qualitative analysis of transcribed interviews using Grounded Theory. Participants were then stratified into groups based on change in adherence, and thematic differences between groups were examined. Themes that emerged from interviews categorized by the number of participants who expressed a theme and the number of representative citations. Participants expressed positive views toward the program overall (95%, n= 37/39). They perceived program components as working together to improve their medication adherence. Interactions with the glaucoma coach (38 participants, 184 citations), motivation to aid personal change (38 participants, 157 citations), personalized glaucoma education (38 participants, 149 citations), electronic reminders, and hearing their adherence score (37 participants, 90 citations) were most commonly cited by participants as helpful program elements contributing to improved adherence. Patients expressed a desire for personalized education to be a standard part of glaucoma care. Participants who demonstrated more improvement in adherence had a more trusting attitude toward the adherence score and a greater magnitude of perceived personal need to improve adherence. Participants reported a highly positive response to the in-person glaucoma education and motivational interviewing intervention used in conjunction with automated adherence reminders.

Integrating Patient Education Into the Glaucoma Clinical Encounter: A Lean Analysis.

The main purpose of this study was to use Lean analysis to identify how often and when wait times occur during a glaucoma visit to identify opportunities for additional patient engagement. This prospective observational time-motion study measured process and wait times for 77 patient visits from 12 ophthalmologists at an academic glaucoma clinic over a 3-month period. Value stream maps visually diagramed the process of a clinical visit from the patient's perspective. Descriptive statistics were calculated for process times, wait times, and the frequency of 10+ minute wait times during each part of the visit. Key stakeholders participated in a root cause analysis to identify reasons for long wait times. The main outcome measure was average times (hours: minutes: seconds) for process times and wait times. Twenty-nine new visit (NV) patients and 48 return visit (RV) patients were included. Total time in clinic was 187.1±44.5 (mean±SD) minutes for NV patients and 102.0±44.7 minutes for RV patients. Wait time for NV patients was 63.7±33.4 minutes (33.1% of total appointment time) and for RV patients was 52.6±31.6 minutes (49.4% of the total appointment time). All NV patients and 87.5% of RV patients had at least one 10+ minute wait time during their clinic visit and the majority (75.9% NV, 60.4% RV) had >1. Currently, sufficient wait time exists during the visit for key portions of glaucoma education such as teaching eye drop instillation.

Impact of Mobile-Based Health Education on the Awareness and Knowledge of Glaucoma in Chinese Patients.

Introduction:Mobile devices have been rapidly integrated into clinical practice. The present study is to compare the awareness and knowledge of glaucoma in patients with and without access to mobile-based public health education.Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional survey was performed on individuals without health education from the outpatient department, and individuals with mobile-based glaucoma education from WeChat® service account (WeChat, a social media service). The participants were subcategorized based on whether glaucoma was present. Data were collected using a questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic information and glaucoma knowledge divided into 15 true-or-false questions. Each question was assigned two points if correct and zero if incorrect or unclear. Statistical analyses were used to analyze the differences and correlation of scores and influencing factors between each group.Results:A total of 1,459 valid questionnaires was obtained, including 585 individuals from outpatient department and 874 from WeChat. Patients with health education had higher rate of correctness for each of the 15 questions than those without. In the absence of the education group, glaucoma patients had a median score of 16 out of total 30 points, 8 points higher than among nonglaucoma patients (p < 0.001), whereas those with education attained a median score of 24 points, greater than those without (p < 0.001), regardless of whether they had glaucoma. These significances were still evident after adjustment for various potential confounding factors.Conclusions:Patients' awareness and knowledge level of glaucoma are limited, but significantly enhanced after educational intervention. Mobile-based education is essential to ameliorate public awareness of glaucoma.

Glaucoma Education Intervention: Using a Trained Volunteer to Improve Patient Understanding and Compliance

The aim of this study is to assess patients’ experience and acceptability of an educational intervention run by volunteers to provide information about glaucoma, with the goal of improving patients’ understanding about glaucoma. Clinicians referred patients attending glaucoma clinics at one trust to volunteers for education about glaucoma, surgical or laser interventions and eye drop technique. Patients were subsequently contacted by telephone to complete a satisfaction survey with five responses ranging from strongly disagree to strongly agree. 68 patients were referred to the volunteers over a 7 month period. 27 (40%) were interviewed by telephone. All were happy with their experience of the volunteer service with 23 patients (57.5%) strongly agreeing that they were comfortable speaking to a volunteer, 18 (45%) strongly agreeing that the volunteer was able to answer their questions and explain the condition properly and 22 (55%) strongly agreeing that speaking with the volunteer was a positive experience. 17 (42.5%) strongly agreed that they had better knowledge and understanding about glaucoma and 22 (55%) strongly agreed that they understood the importance regular therapy. Of the 17 patients surveyed about eye drop technique, 14 (82.4%) strongly agreed they were more confident with their technique. Patients were comfortable and accepting of the volunteer scheme and reported better understanding of glaucoma. Using volunteers to educate patients helps clinicians and improves compliance.

Awareness and knowledge of glaucoma and associated factors among adults: a cross sectional study in Gondar Town, Northwest Ethiopia

BackgroundRaising public awareness and knowledge about glaucoma is a key for early case identification and prevention of blindness. However, awareness and knowledge about glaucoma is unknown at community level, making provision of interventions difficult. This study was intended to assess the awareness and knowledge of adults about glaucoma and the factors affecting it in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia.MethodsCommunity based cross - sectional study was conducted on 701 adults 35 and above years in Gondar from April 12–30, 2016. Multistage sampling technique was used to select study participants. Interviewer administered pretested structured questionnaire was used to collect data after verbal informed consent. Data were entered into EpiData version 3.1 and analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models and Odds ratio with 95% interval were used to identify factors. P–value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsSeven hundred one adults age 35 and above years were participated with a response rate of 99.3%. The male to female ratio was 1:1.6 with median age of 48 years with interqurtile range of 20. The proportion of awareness was 35.1% (95% CI: 31.5%, 38.6%). Good knowledge was demonstrated in 49.6% (95%CI: 43.3%, 55%) of glaucoma aware participants. Education (primary [AOR: 3.21; 1.73, 5.95], secondary [AOR: 4.34; 2.30, 8.22]; college and above [AOR: 9.82; 4.27, 22.60]) and having eye examination [AOR: 2.78; 1.86, 4.15] were positively associated with awareness of glaucoma whereas older age (65 –74 years [AOR: 0.31(0.21, 0.76]) was inversely related. Level of Education (primary[AOR:2.83;1.04,7.71],secondary[AOR:3.45;1.33,9.41],college and above [AOR: 4.86;1.82,12,99] and having eye examination [AOR: 2.61;1.53,4.45] were significantly associated with knowledge.ConclusionThe study has indicated higher level of awareness and knowledge about glaucoma in urban communities than previous studies. It has also identified educational status, eye examination at least once in life are related with better awareness and knowledge. The present awareness and knowledge should be enhanced through public oriented glaucoma education via mass media and incorporating eye check up as a routine in older people.

Glaucoma Australia educational impact study: a randomized short-term clinical trial evaluating the association between glaucoma education and patient knowledge, anxiety and treatment satisfaction.

Targeted education may impact glaucoma patients' clinical experience. The aim of this study was to measure the impact of patient-centred glaucoma-related education on knowledge, anxiety and treatment satisfaction. This was a multicentre Australia-wide randomized clinical trial. One hundred one newly diagnosed glaucoma patients were randomized 1:1 to intervention or control groups. Those randomized to the Glaucoma Australia educational intervention received telephone-based counselling about glaucoma followed by mail-out information, in addition to usual care and information from their treating ophthalmologist. The control group received only usual care and information from their treating ophthalmologist. Surveys were administered at baseline and 4weeks following intervention. The Auckland Glaucoma Knowledge Questionnaire measured glaucoma-related knowledge. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Eye-Drop Satisfaction Questionnaire measured anxiety and patient treatment satisfaction, respectively. Mean age was 64.7±11.1years, and 52 (51.5%) were male. There was no noticeable increase in knowledge levels in the control group (mean difference: 0.04 logits, P=0.7), compared with a 0.49-logit (P=0.02) increase in knowledge levels in the intervention group. Between-group comparison showed a non-significant increase in knowledge (0.45 logits, P=0.07) comparing intervention participants with controls. Intervention participants experienced a statistically significant decrease in anxiety compared to controls (-0.60 logits, P=0.02). No between-group difference was found in Eye-Drop Satisfaction Questionnaire scores. Patient-centred glaucoma-related education and support services may improve knowledge and can reduce anxiety for newly diagnosed glaucoma patients. All glaucoma patients should be adequately counselled about the nature of the disease and its management.