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Treatment satisfaction: Can we trust our glaucoma patients?
Author(s) -
TISSIER P,
LEMIJ H,
BAUDOUIN C
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.534
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1755-3768
pISSN - 1755-375X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-3768.2014.t015.x
Subject(s) - medicine , tolerability , blepharitis , glaucoma , ophthalmology , hyperaemia , epidemiology , patient satisfaction , artificial tears , dermatology , surgery , adverse effect , blood flow
Purpose To determine the characteristics and satisfaction regarding tolerance of glaucoma patients currently treated by prostaglandin analogues, in general ophthalmological consultations. Methods Multi‐centre, European and epidemiological survey among glaucoma patients receiving prostaglandin analogues. In a two page questionnaire, the participating ophthalmologists recorded: glaucoma history, previous treatments and reasons for change, tolerability and patient satisfaction, ocular surface disease (OSD) prevalence and other ocular signs. Results The data from the first country, The Netherlands, (164 patients) were analyzed. At the time of the study, 94% of patients were treated for glaucoma with preserved products. Of all patients, 89% declared to be satisfied or very satisfied. The mean score of tolerability evaluated on VAS (Visual Analog Scale) was 76.4 ± 17.5 mm. Signs of OSD were evident in 44% of patients. Of all patients, 32% reported symptoms upon instillation and 47% between instillations. Conjunctival Hyperemia was present in 47% of patients. The prevalences of both blepharitis/Meibomian gland dysfunction and dry eye were more than twice as high compared to the time of onset of therapy, with a change from 8 to 19% of patients for blepharitis and 14% to 33% for dry eye. Artificial tears were used in 38% of patients. Patient dissatisfaction was significantly associated with the presence of OSD, hyperaemia, ocular signs, symptoms upon and between instillation and the use of artificial tears. Conclusion These first results highlight the disconnection between the patients’ reported satisfaction and their ocular signs and symptoms. Ocular surface dysfunction needs to be investigated thoroughly in those who use preserved prostaglandin analogues.Commercial interest