Turkish Abstract Abstract PDF Similar Articles Mail to Author

¹Beyoğlu Göz Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, İstanbul, Uzm. Dr.
²Beyoğlu Göz Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, İstanbul, Asist. Dr.
³Beyoğlu Göz Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, İstanbul, Doç. Dr.
⁴Beyoğlu Göz Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, İstanbul, Prof. Dr. Purpose: To evaluate the factors which effect the compliance of patients in long term glaucoma therapy with eyedrops.
Materials and Methods: Two hundered seventeen patients with glaucoma for at least one year duration who were followed in Beyoglu Eye Training and Research Hospital between January and June 2007 were included in the study. A questionnaire with 19 questions was performed with question-answer method by a physician. We recorded if patients used eyedrops in appropriate time and dose, if enough time was left between two instillations in patients who used more than one eyedrop and we evaluated persistancy of treatment. The factors that affect the complaince were investigated.
Results: While mean number of drugs prescribed to the patients was 1.55±0.57 and mean recommended daily topical drop numbers was 2.42±1.17 ; mean drug number of drugs used by the patients was 1.45±0.60, and mean applied drop numbers was 2.25±1.16. Excellent compliance ratio (continuation of medication, compliance in time and maintenance of proper intervals between two medications) was found as 69.1%. As the numbers of the drug and drop increase and also when visual acuities decrease; then this results in decrease in time compliance, decrease in the appropriate time between two drops and also decrease in drug usage ratio although lack of statistical significance There is no statistically significant relation found between compliance ratio and glaucoma drug type, sex, glaucoma type, systemic disease, social insurance, glaucoma time, (p>0,05). There is a statistically significant relationship between the awareness of glaucoma, education and time compliance.
Conlusion: The compliance rate was low in patients whose visual acuities were low and who used many eyedrops. In glaucoma which is a chronic disease, it is very important to prevent unnecessary usage and change of medications for patients’ wellness. especially by evaluating the compliance Keywords : Glaucoma, topical therapy, patients compliance